WNBA Playoffs: Connecticut Sun remain calm in the home stretch and finish Game 2

The Connecticut Sun know what it takes to win in the postseason. Since 2019, the Sun have been to the semifinals twice and the finals twice, but have never won a title. They’re looking to change that this season, and after a 2-0 win over Indiana in the first round, the Sun are one step closer to their goal.

Despite the sweep, it was a thrilling series. Indiana was a dangerous opponent for most of Wednesday, but Connecticut’s experience, poise and style of play won out in the end.

Sun has to accept a slow start

The Sun have struggled with slow starts this season, a topic coach Stephanie White has addressed in nearly every press conference. Wednesday was no different. Connecticut trailed Indiana by nine points with four minutes left in the first quarter after a jump shot by Caitlin Clark gave the Fever a 13-4 lead. But Connecticut showed its resilience and playoff experience. The Sun didn’t panic, but instead mounted a steady comeback and ended the quarter on a 13-1 run.

All seven Sun players who played in the win have played in the playoffs before, while the Fever’s starting lineup was making their playoff debut together. Connecticut’s experience was evident throughout the game. Every time Indiana made a run, the Sun had an answer. Even late in the game, when Indiana regained a 75-73 lead on a layup by Aliyah Boston with 2:41 left, the Sun held their composure. They responded with a 14-6 run that ended the game and secured them a spot in the semifinals.

DeWanna Bonner’s experienced presence is crucial for Connecticut

No player in Wednesday’s game is more experienced than Bonner. The 15-year veteran is the fourth all-time leading scorer on the WNBA scoring list, quickly closing in on Tina Thompson, who is third. She is also the only player in Connecticut’s starting lineup to have won a WNBA title: in 2009 and 2014 with the Mercury.

Bonner struggled to shoot the ball for most of the game, hitting just 4 of 14 shots from the field and 1 of 6 from beyond the three-point line. But when Connecticut needed a boost in the fourth quarter, it was Bonner who stepped in. She scored nine of her 15 points in the final quarter, including a key stretch in which she scored five straight points.

The Fever had just taken the lead on a Boston layup with 2:25 left when Bonner answered with a layup of his own to tie the game. Boston then scored again to take the lead. It was Indiana’s last advantage of the game. Bonner came onto the court with 1:50 left and made her only 3-pointer of the game. That gave the Sun a 78-77 lead and they finished the game on a 9-4 run.

Marina Mabrey continues to land big hits

The Sun traded Mabrey in July because they needed a three-point shooter, and it’s paying off. The guard is averaging 14.9 points per game and is shooting 42.4% from beyond the three-point line. In the two-game series against Indiana, Mabrey made eight three-pointers.

Their biggest shot came with 46 seconds left on Wednesday when the Sun were leading 78-77. Mabrey intercepted an Alyssa Thomas pass and fired a long-range stab shot. Connecticut was two baskets ahead and the Fever were forced to foul DiJonai Carrington on their next possession. Carrington hit both free throws to put the game out of reach.

Sunbed up steps

With Ty Harris injured, Mabrey moved into the starting lineup, taking a key backup off the bench, but Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Veronica Burton did their best, outscoring Indiana’s bench 18-6.

Nelson-Ododa battled with Boston in the penalty box, scoring points on fadeaways with touches around the basket. She finished the game with eight points, six rebounds and two blocks. Burton contributed offensively and defensively, doing her part to slow down Caitlin Clark and scoring 10 points of her own. She also had three assists and three rebounds.

Seven Sun players played, and all scored eight or more points. Thomas led the way with 19 points, Mabrey had 17, Bonner 15 and Carrington added 10.