University of Minnesota Athletics
Whalen, Lynx Start Finals at Williams on Sunday
9/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
For the sixth time in the past seven years, the Minnesota Lynx have advanced to the WNBA Finals. They will play Game 1 against the Los Angeles Sparks at the University of Minnesota's Williams Arena on Sunday, Sept. 24. The series will be a rematch of last year's Finals, which saw the Sparks win a tight Game 5.
Golden Gophers alumna Lindsay Whalen continues to assemble one of the most successful careers in league history. In Game 2 of the semifinals against the Washington Mystics, she became the first WNBA player ever to tally 300 career playoff assists. Whalen became the fifth to reach 900 career playoff points in Game 3.
The first game of the semifinals marked a return to campus for Whalen, and a return from injury. But she truly burst back onto the scene in Game 2. Whalen ignited her team and the crowd with big plays late in the game. She was 3-for-3 in the fourth quarter and ended the game nine points, seven assists and one steal that led to a basket.
Two other Gophers, Rachel Banham and Amanda Zahui B., made it to the playoffs before their seasons ended. Banham and the Connecticut Sun fell to the Phoenix Mercury in the Second Round, while Amanda Zahui B. and the New York Liberty lost in the same round to the Mystics.
| WNBA Finals Schedule | |||
| Date | Location | Time (CT) | TV |
| Sept. 24 | Williams Arena | 2:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Sept. 26 | Williams Arena | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Sept. 29 | Los Angeles | 8 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| *Oct. 1 | Los Angeles | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| *Oct. 4 | Williams Arena | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
Tweets from the Semis
Huge ovation for @Lindsay_13, announced a starter - returning to action, returning to Williams Arena. pic.twitter.com/LRak6z0rWq
- Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) September 13, 2017
Good team win! Thank you Lynx fans!! Game 2 Thursday back at the Barn. #loslynx
- Lindsay Whalen (@Lindsay_13) September 13, 2017
The Barn sound loud on TV? You should be here. Deafening, as #Lynx pull 10-2 run to get back into it. Five buckets from five scorers.
- Patrick Borzi (@BorzMN) September 15, 2017
Oh my, Lindsay Whalen! 👀#Roar4More #WNBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/uST12OnUCm
- Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 15, 2017
With this assist, @Lindsay_13 became the first player in #WNBAPlayoffs HISTORY to reach 300 career postseason assists! #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/iep9N3uV0I
- WNBA (@WNBA) September 15, 2017
Lindsay Whalen doing work back at her old stomping grounds! #Roar4More pic.twitter.com/WH4Q2mnK9a
- Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 15, 2017
#LosLynx take control in fourth quarter, defeat Washington 93-83 in Game 2. @BloodStrib with game details https://t.co/2WHHjMlN2Q pic.twitter.com/SAFbmBO8MV
- Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) September 15, 2017
With her last bucket, @Lindsay_13 has become the fifth player in WNBA history to tally 9⃣0⃣0⃣ career points in the #WNBAPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/gfS0kxRfaL
- Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 17, 2017
