Connecticut Sun defeats Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of WNBA playoff series

Alyssa Thomas scored 17 points and flirted with a triple-double as the Connecticut Sun won Game 1 of a WNBA semifinal series, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 73-70 on Sunday night in Minneapolis.

Thomas made the Sun’s last two shots with less than a minute to play, going 8 of 12 from the floor while also collecting 10 rebounds and nine assists. Connecticut also received 20 points from Marina Mabrey and 10 points and 11 points from DeWanna Bonner.

The Sun held the Lynx to just eight points in the fourth quarter.

“For us, it really came down to getting stops,” Thomas said. “I am one of the leaders of this team. I’ve been here my whole career. Nothing changes. We’re looking for a championship.”

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Napheesa Collier scored 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists for Minnesota, while Bridget Carleton added 17 points.

The Sun took a three-point lead, 71-68, with 53.8 seconds left when Thomas hit Alanna Smith on a crossover and drove to the basket from the left wing for a layup. Smith had five blocks on the night but couldn’t catch Thomas as she sank a crucial bucket.

Collier responded on the Lynx’s next possession by slipping a screen, intercepting a pass from Smith and scoring with a wide-open finger roll. But again, Thomas had an answer, sinking a 15-foot jumper to cut the lead back to three points with 12.3 seconds left.

“We really didn’t have a play. I liked the matchup I had in front of me. When I saw the opening, I took the shot,” Thomas said.

After a timeout, Minnesota had to settle for a long-range 3-point attempt from Collier on the left wing with Bonner draped over her. The shot bounced off the back iron and the buzzer sounded.

“We respect them deeply. We had to make plans for her,” Mabrey said of Collier.

Minnesota actually led by five points at the end of the third quarter after ending the frame with an 11-3 run capped by a three-pointer from Courtney Williams.

Both teams had 13 turnovers, but the Sun scored 16 points off the Lynx’s mistakes, while Minnesota only scored eight points on Connecticut’s mistakes.

Before the game, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was awarded the WNBA Coach of the Year award for the fourth time and Collier was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year trophy.

Bonner appeared in her 83rd playoff game, making her the WNBA’s all-time leader in postseason games played.

Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday in Minneapolis.

Connecticut Sun defeats Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of WNBA playoff series

ByJasper

By Jasper

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