The Connecticut Solar sealed a should win recreation three victory on the highway towards the Minnesota Lynx, 90-75. With the loss, the Minnesota Lynx have been eradicated from the playoffs. Connecticut advances to the Semifinals the place they’ll play the New York Liberty.
DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas are an elite duo
What a duo 🙌@athomas_25:➡️ 28 PTS, 6 REB, 12 AST➡️ Set WNBA playoff recreation file for factors created with 58 PTS
DeWanna Bonner:➡️ 25 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST➡️ fifth participant in WNBA Historical past to file 1,000 Playoff PTS➡️ seventh All-Time in Playoff 3PM
2023 #WNBAPlayoffs | @google pic.twitter.com/cVKu6IGHy9
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 21, 2023
No Brionna Jones? No drawback. Heading into Wednesday’s matchup, the Connecticut Solar knew they have been presumably going through elimination on a tricky highway matchup on the Goal Middle. 14-6 on the highway, the Solar confronted a Minnesota Lynx group who have been underneath .500 at house and have been plagued with accidents. With out Jessica Shepard, Lindsay Allen, and Aerial Powers, Minnesota was capable of safe the 82-75 recreation two victory over the Connecticut Solar.
With the stardom of Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, the Solar overcame Napheesa Colliers 31 factors, and defeated the Lynx 90-75. Thomas and Bonner mixed for 53 factors, 18 assists, 16 rebounds, three blocks, and shot 21-33. The duo made up almost 60 p.c of the group’s complete offense. The Connecticut Solar, led by Stephanie White, are of their seventh straight playoff look, and can head to their fifth straight semifinals. The Solar misplaced Jones to a season ending achilles harm early within the season.
The @ConnecticutSun advance to their fifth straight WNBA semifinals 👏 pic.twitter.com/P7ieDw0GG1
— ESPN (@espn) September 21, 2023
In a important recreation three, Connecticut was capable of capitalize on the rebounds, together with scoring domination within the paint. Alyssa Thomas set the early tone with a push again mid-range shot over rookie Diamond Miller. With eight factors within the first quarter, No. 25 tied a profession excessive with 28 factors, one steal, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds. By three video games towards the Lynx, Thomas averaged 23 factors, 9.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 5.7 rebounds.
Very similar to we projected, Thomas performed a whole 40 minutes of basketball. Whereas getting an early lead was vital, Thomas created factors off turnovers, which included assists on the surface. Her skill to distribute to her teammates was impeccable, alongside along with her power offensively down within the submit. With a commanding 17-6 lead, DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas confirmed their chemistry on the courtroom, creating alternatives for one another off the choose and roll. Under is a major instance of Alyssa Thomas power, taking up three defenders within the paint.
The dimes have been dropped final evening because the @ConnecticutSun secured their fifth consecutive Semi-Finals look 🤝
Try the very best #StatefarmAssistsoftheNight | @StateFarm ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bCMRvkRE4c
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 21, 2023
DeWanna Bonner, a fourteen-year WNBA veteran, pulled a 24 foot three-point jumper with zero hesitation over Rachel Banham. Her skill to create her personal shot and drain from downtown over Dorka Juhasz actually made a press release. Just like Thomas, Bonner completed with 25 factors, three blocks, one steal, six assists, and ten rebounds. She shot 50 p.c from three and had a number of key blocks. No. 24 grew to become the third participant in WNBA historical past to have 1,000 playoff factors 500 rebounds and joins Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker on the all-time listing.
Sensible to date within the postseason, Bonner averaged 22 factors, ten rebounds, 4.7 assists, and one block in three video games vs. the Lynx. Bonner’s athleticism was highlighted all evening, as she made fadeaway jumpers, and capitalized on the quick break factors off turnovers. The momentum began to shift after Bonner drained an 11-foot bounce shot over Bridget Carleton on the Buzzer.
DeWanna Bonner on the buzzer 🚨
The @ConnecticutSun are one half away from advancing to the semis ☀️ pic.twitter.com/6hWGGpPpzC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 21, 2023
The Connecticut Solar take over early
The Minnesota Lynx had the early tempo in recreation two, wherein they outscored the Connecticut Solar within the first half. With Lynx followers buzzing on the Goal Middle, it was important for the Solar to catch an early lead. The Solar had a monster first quarter, tallying 26 factors and began on a 20-6 run. By the half, Connecticut outscored Minnesota 49-34, wherein they made their first three area objectives, and 5 of their first six pictures. With Collier lacking her first two pictures, and Minnesota missed 4 straight area objectives, from 6:48 to 2:34 within the first quarter. As soon as Diamond Miller made a driving layup, Minnesota did not make a area aim till Carleton’s three-point shot across the 8-minute mark. From there, the Lynx have been held to 30 factors by means of the following two quarters.
Tyasha Harris shines as the final word x-factor
Tyasha Harris confirmed why she could be such an x-factor for this group, after being acquired by the Connecticut Solar this offseason within the Jonquel Jones commerce. Struggling in recreation two, Harris completed with 19 factors, one rebound, and one assists off the bench for Connecticut. In an important position, the guard shot 7-11 from the sector, and 4-6 from the three-point line. By 40 video games performed, Harris led the WNBA in three-point share, which was a career-high (46.4 p.c). She was wonderful round screens set by Alyssa Thomas and was capable of drop within the pictures and layups. Her confidence was at an all-time excessive, as she ripped an extended three-point shot over Rachel Banham.
a SILENCER from three by @TyHarris_52 🤫#CTSun | #ForgedByFire🔥 pic.twitter.com/uqeIjkSf4w
— Connecticut Solar (@ConnecticutSun) September 21, 2023
Minnesota struggled offensively
Ahead Napheesa Collier had a formidable efficiency, delivering 31 factors on 11-19 area aim taking pictures. The Lynx beginning 4 mixed for less than 26 factors, wherein they completed 43.3 p.c from the sector. Though the Lynx minimize the deficit to at least one level within the third quarter, they have been shutout primarily till the ultimate quarter of the sport.
Kayla McBride was a big consider Minnesota’s recreation two win over Connecticut. In recreation three, McBride struggled from the sector, including solely ten factors in 40 minutes. With the season on the road, Minnesota was unable to get the stops defensively, and offensively provide you with a plan outdoors of Collier. After a first-round exit, the Lynx have a promising younger group, comprised of Dorka Juhasz and Diamond Miller round Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier.
The Connecticut Solar will face the New York Liberty within the WNBA Playoffs Semifinals. One of the best of 5 video games, the Liberty may have house courtroom benefit for the primary two video games. Connecticut will play New York on Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. ET, on the Barclays Middle.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and a Sports activities Content material Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a give attention to the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at present resides in Connecticut along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
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