The Connecticut Sun is sticking with the same lineup that worked for Game 4 of the WNBA playoff series for the decisive Game 5, but there’s one difference: the injured players on the side bench. First, it was Ty Harris, who injured her right ankle ahead of Game 1 of round 1 against the Indiana Fever. Since then, the 5-foot-10 guard has been out for the following two games. Even during Games 2 and 3 against the Lynx, her playing minutes were limited. Now, she finds Marina Mabrey joining her on the bench.

During Tuesday’s Game 5 against the Lynx, the Sun’s guard went down with an ankle injury. With 8:22 remaining in the second quarter, Mabrey twisted her ankle and was taken to the locker room. After eight minutes of gameplay and having scored five points, the Sun’s mid-season trade acquisition returned to the court.

“Status alert: Marina Mabrey (ankle) has returned to Tuesday’s game,” revealed Underdog WNBA on X. After retreating to the Sun’s locker room, Mabrey returned when the clock showed 4:20 left in the half.

If you’re wondering how she got injured, it was something she did to herself. She appeared to have stepped on a photographer’s foot behind the basket, after which she remained on the floor for an extended period of time.

The Connecticut Sun’s guard had been a significant contributor, averaging 14.8 points per game against the Minnesota Lynx. She had appeared in every playoff game this postseason, averaging 12.2 points per game. Additionally, she had a standout 20-point performance in one game. But was it enough to clinch a berth in the finals?

Unfortunately, no, as the Sun lost the series 3-2 to the Lynx.

Game 5 was crucial for the Sun, as it would determine their fate in reaching the finals this postseason. It would have marked the Sun’s fifth time reaching the finals since their first playoff appearance. However, knocking off the No. 2-seeded Minnesota Lynx was no easy feat. Despite head coach Stephanie White’s game plan to counter the opponent, it ultimately wasn’t enough.

“I think it gives us a little bit more versatility. We can play a lot of different ways… We have a little bit more speed and quickness and can be a little more disruptive on the defensive end of the floor,” shared Sun’s head coach White in a pregame conference. And she was right. The Sun’s defense is something even rookie Caitlin Clark has praised.

In fact, they are the No. 1 team in terms of defense, led by Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner. While Thomas contributed 3 rebounds and 7 points in 39 minutes of gameplay, Bonner had 8 rebounds and 14 points in 33 minutes. But all this went in vain, as both of them fell short of overcoming the Lynx’s tough competition. What else would you expect? The Lynx won 88-77.