Connecticut Sun Secures Victory Against Minnesota Lynx in Game 1, Led by Alyssa Thomas
Alyssa Thomas contributed 17 points and nearly achieved a triple-double as the Connecticut Sun triumphed over the Minnesota Lynx, 73-70, during the first game of the WNBA semifinal series in Minneapolis on Sunday night.
Thomas delivered the final two baskets for the Sun in the last minute of the game, shooting 8-for-12 overall, and also recording 10 rebounds and nine assists. Marina Mabrey added 20 points, while DeWanna Bonner contributed 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Defensively, the Sun limited the Lynx to only eight points in the fourth quarter.
“Our key was making stops,” Thomas stated. “As one of the leaders on this team, it remains my focus. I’m committed to our goal of winning a championship.”
Napheesa Collier scored 19 points and recorded nine rebounds and four assists for Minnesota, while Bridget Carleton contributed 17 points.
The Sun took a crucial three-point lead at 71-68 with only 53.8 seconds left, thanks to Thomas’s skillful drive to the basket after a crossover pass to Alanna Smith. Although Smith had an impressive five blocks during the game, she was unable to stop Thomas from scoring.
In response, Collier quickly scored for the Lynx, but Thomas answered back with a 15-foot jumper to extend the Sun’s lead to three with just 12.3 seconds remaining.
“We didn’t have a specific play called. I saw a good matchup and I took the opportunity to shoot,” Thomas explained.
In their final attempt, the Lynx settled for a long three-point shot from Collier, who was closely guarded by Bonner. The shot missed, and the game ended.
“We have deep respect for her game. We had to create a defensive strategy just for her,” Mabrey remarked regarding Collier.
At the end of the third quarter, Minnesota held a five-point lead following an 11-3 scoring run, punctuated by a three-pointer from Courtney Williams.
Both teams committed 13 turnovers; however, the Sun capitalized on them, scoring 16 points from the Lynx’s errors while Minnesota managed only eight points from Connecticut’s mistakes.
Before the game, it was announced that Minnesota’s coach Cheryl Reeve received the WNBA Coach of the Year award, her fourth, and Collier was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year.
Bonner made history with her 83rd playoff appearance, becoming the all-time leader in playoff games played in the WNBA.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday in Minneapolis.