The Drive for Five remains alive.

The Minnesota Lynx built a comfortable lead at halftime and played much better on defense to beat Connecticut 88-77 in the deciding Game 5 of their hard-fought WNBA semifinals on Tuesday night.

In front of a raucous, towel-waving, sold-out lower deck at Target Center, Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 27 points and 11 rebounds, becoming the first player in league history to win three straight playoff games with at least 25 points and 10 Completed rebounds. She also had four assists and four blocks.

“When Phee plays like the MVP, we’re a tough team to beat,” coach Cheryl Reeve said.

But she was anything but alone.

Courtney Williams scored a season-best 24 points with seven assists and five rebounds. Kayla McBride added 19 points.

Aiming to become the first WNBA franchise with five crowns, second-seeded Minnesota begins the best-of-five final on Thursday in Brooklyn against the top-seeded New York Liberty, a franchise yet to win a title.

The Lynx last appeared in the finals in 2017, winning their fourth title in seven seasons.

“You play to be on this stage and I think we are all ready for the moment. We just have to do it,” Williams said.

Reeve added: “We’re happy to get to the final but we won’t just be happy to be there.”

Game 2 is Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn, Game 3 next Wednesday at Target Center. If necessary, Game 4 is scheduled for Oct. 18 in downtown Minneapolis and Game 5 is scheduled for Oct. 20 in the Big Apple.

Top-notch defense has been the linchpin of the Lynx’s success this season, but in three of the six previous postseason games, Minnesota’s opponents have shot at least 50% from the field, a mark that was set in the 40-game regular season was not achieved.

Before the game, Reeve said the Lynx defense “will be (better) tonight.”

It was.

Against a more aggressive team, the Sun shot 38.5%, including a combined 7-29 in the middle two quarters. In Game 4 on Sunday, Connecticut shot 53.7% from the field. The Sun had 19 turnovers on Tuesday night.

“They fed each other well. They help each other. They were physical with us in every game of this series. I think it was two heavyweight teams that came out on top against us,” said DeWanna Bonner, who had 14 points and nine rebounds. DiJonai Carrington led the Sun with 17 points and 12 rebounds, Brionna Jones had 16 points and 10 boards.

Minnesota, which shot 49.3% in the game, led 53-34 at halftime, the most points Connecticut allowed in the first half this season.

“They came out and hit us in the mouth,” Sun coach Stephanie White said.

In a poignant play that would describe much of the first two quarters, Williams sent Collier for a layup in traffic. As most of the 8,769 in attendance cheered, Collier and Williams both smiled broadly and chest-thumped before Collier sank a free throw to complete the 3-point play and give the Lynx a 51-30 lead.

Kayla McBride #21 of the Minnesota Lynx celebrates her basket against the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter of the fifth semifinal game during the WNBA playoffs at Target Center on October 8, 2024 in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images)

Head coach Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx looks on during play against the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter of the fifth semifinal game during the WNBA playoffs at Target Center on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images)

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) shoots during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) works toward the basket as Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal on Tuesday, April 8. October 2024, defended in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots over Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) works toward the basket while Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 , defended in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (right) shoots over Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) reacts after a Connecticut Sun timeout during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) scores after taking a shot during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal game against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) works toward the basket while Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) defends during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, center, celebrates with teammates after an 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun in Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) celebrates with her teammates in the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun in Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Kayla McBride #21 of the Minnesota Lynx celebrates her basket against the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter of the fifth semifinal game during the WNBA playoffs at Target Center on October 8, 2024 in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images)

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