Connecticut Sun Defeats Minnesota Lynx in Decisive Game 3 to Advance to WNBA Semifinals
By Michael Voepel, ESPN.com
September 20, 2023
In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday, the Connecticut Sun emerged victorious against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round series. Led by standout players Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, the Sun secured a 90-75 victory at Target Center in Minneapolis, guaranteeing their spot in the WNBA semifinals for the fifth consecutive year.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve commended the exceptional performance of Alyssa Thomas, stating, “I don’t know of a player with a greater will to win. That’s a player who just puts her team on her back.” Thomas, who has spent her entire 10-season career with the Sun, has been a consistent force for the team. Reeve expressed her excitement to be working with Thomas in the upcoming USA Basketball events, including the 2024 Olympics.
During the game, Thomas delivered a standout performance, scoring or assisting on 58 points, making it the highest ever recorded in a WNBA playoff game. She finished the game with an impressive stat line of 28 points, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds. Bonner also contributed significantly with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Their combined efforts resulted in the pair scoring or assisting on 87.8% of the Sun’s 90 points. This achievement marks them as only the second pair in WNBA history to achieve such a high percentage of points in a playoff game.
DeWanna Bonner also achieved a milestone during the game, becoming the third WNBA player to reach 1,000 career playoff points and 500 rebounds, joining the ranks of Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker.
Head coach of the Sun, Stephanie White, applauded Thomas and Bonner, stating, “They’re two players who aren’t afraid of moments or to make big plays. They’ve just continued to rise to the challenge.”
The victory against the Lynx also set a franchise record for the Sun, as they scored a total of 255 points in the three-game playoff series.
Up next, the Connecticut Sun, seeded third, will face the New York Liberty, seeded second, in the WNBA semifinals. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Liberty hold a 4-0 advantage over the Sun during the regular season, with their most recent matchup resulting in an overtime win for the Liberty on August 24th. The Sun aim to overcome the Liberty’s dominance and secure their spot in the WNBA Finals.
Coach White emphasized the importance of adapting their strategy against the Liberty, particularly in terms of providing different defensive looks and efforts to rebound the basketball. She acknowledged the challenge posed by the Liberty’s size and athleticism but expressed confidence in her team’s discipline, attention to detail, and offensive game plan.
The Connecticut Sun’s journey in the WNBA playoffs continues as they seek to conquer their toughest opponent yet and march toward a championship title.
Please note: ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.