Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate
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The Minnesota Lynx stretched their series lead in the semifinal round of the WNBA Playoffs to 2-0 with a 93-83 win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday night in Game 2 at Williams Arena.

Here are our three observations from the win:

Vintage Whalen

With Lindsay Whalen back in her college arena for the first time in 13 years, everyone hoped that they would be able to see a vintage performance out of the Minnesota native during these playoffs.

Well, we got that and then some on Thursday night.

When the Lynx needed her most, Whalen came up big and helped her team come away with a big Game 2 victory.

In 20-plus minutes, Whalen finished with nine points, seven assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. She tallied seven of her nine points in the fourth quarter.

But it wasn’t just the the stats that showed up on a stat sheet that stood out. It was the hustle plays, her running all around the floor, pumping up the crowd and leaving it all out on the court in the arena she ruled in college 13 years earlier.

Fourth Quarter Run

The highlight of the game and the biggest turning point in helping the Lynx win Thursday’s game was their fourth quarter run that propelled them to victory.

Trailing by two early in the fourth quarter, Minnesota went on a 20-8 run to finish the game and turn a single-digit deficit into a double-digit win.

Sylvia Fowles led the way for the Lynx with 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Maya Moore had 22 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter alone, along with five assists and five rebounds, Seimone Augustus had 15 points and six assists and Rebekkah Brunson had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

 

One Win Away

With Thursday’s win in Game 2, Minnesota now holds a 2-0 series advantage over Washington.

That means the Lynx are just one win away from advancing the the WNBA Finals.

Minnesota will have the task of doing that on the road, heading to Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. for Game 3 on Sunday against the Mystics.

Game 3 isn’t just an important game for Minnesota to try and advance in the playoffs, but as Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx always say, it’s an important game because it’s the next one.

The Lynx and Mystics return to action in Game 3 at 2 p.m. (CT) Sunday in the nation’s capital. The game will be aired on ESPN, 106.1 BOB FM and TuneIn Radio.