Alyssa Thomas (16 factors, 15 rebounds and 11 assists) recorded the primary triple-double in WNBA Finals historical past and Connecticut lastly discovered a approach to cool off red-hot Las Vegas guard Chelsea Grey because the Solar gained 105-76 at dwelling Thursday night time to pressure a Sport 4.
“They simply kicked our ass in each approach attainable,” Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned. “If there was a stat on psychological toughness and physicality, they’d have kicked us there, too.”
However earlier than Connecticut gained its fourth elimination sport of the 2022 postseason, there have been scoring runs — an entire lot of them.
After Vegas jumped out to a 9-2 lead, Connecticut reeled off a 25-4 run to finish the primary quarter, constructing as a lot as a 23-point lead within the first half. The Solar weathered an Aces run proper earlier than the break that lower the result in 9, then scored three fast baskets to open the fourth quarter and shut out the win. With the Solar firmly in management with lower than 5 minutes to play, Hammon pulled her starters. Sport 4 will tip Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. The Aces nonetheless lead the sequence 2-1. Each franchises are in search of their first WNBA title.
WNBA playoffs 2022:How Solar and Aces received right here
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The true story Thursday night time, although, was protection. In what might need been the adjustment of the sequence, Solar coach Curt Miller tapped 6-foot-4 Solar guard DeWanna Bonner — who has a formidable wingspan that stretches past her top — to verify Grey.
Grey completed with 11 factors and 7 assists, however she didn’t rating within the second half and solely tried seven pictures all night time. (9 of Grey’s factors got here on three consecutive 3s she hit when Bonner was on the bench.)
Bonner’s size bothered Grey each time they had been matched up. She blanketed Grey, who was taking pictures a blistering 60.5% from the sector in eight playoff video games, averaging 23.3 factors and seven.1 assists.
Bonner mentioned she tried to “simply keep locked in” when guarding Grey, utilizing her size to “restrict her from getting a clear have a look at the basket earlier than she even received to her spots.”
“I believe it was a workforce effort,” Bonner mentioned of slowing Grey. “Now we gotta determine one other sport plan to do it once more.”
Maybe extra importantly, although, the veteran lastly confirmed up offensively.
After scoring only a mixed 5 factors in Video games 1 and a couple of, Bonner totaled 18 factors, to go along with six rebounds, 5 assists and two steals.
“She’s such a revered presence in our locker room,” Miller mentioned of Bonner, who gained two WNBA titles with the Phoenix Mercury. “It’s no secret she has championship pedigree. We now have a gaggle that actually seems to be as much as her. When she performs with power and offensive effectivity, it offers the remainder of our crew a lot confidence.”
In the meantime, Thomas was dominant in each aspect of the sport; alongside together with her triple-double she had two steals and a block. Her play energized her teammates — however they mentioned Thomas can play even higher, and must if Connecticut is to win Sunday and pressure a decisive Sport 5.
“She did all proper tonight,” Bonner mentioned, giving Thomas a sly look. “We’d like her to be nice although.”
A’ja Wilson scored 19 and was just about unstoppable irrespective of what number of defenders Connecticut despatched at her, however the Solar dominated the paint, outscoring the Aces 64-26. Jonquel Jones, the 2021 MVP, had 20 factors.
Stated Miller: “We did loads of issues higher, more durable and extra decided — with extra confidence, extra tempo and extra physicality.”
Jones mentioned retired WNBA nice Lisa Leslie, one of the vital dominant facilities within the historical past of ladies’s basketball, as soon as instructed her that to win a WNBA championship, groups should rating inside. Jones took the recommendation to coronary heart.
“That’s the MO of the playoffs, proper? The workforce that wins the paint, wins the sport,” Jones mentioned.
Jackie Younger led the Aces with 22 and Kelsey Plum chipped in 17. Connecticut’s bench additionally outscored Vegas 26-5. The Solar set a playoff document with 19 assists within the first half, and completed with 32 on 43 made baskets.
All-WNBA Groups revealed
Wilson, the 2022 MVP, together with Las Vegas guard Plum, Seattle ahead Breanna Stewart, Chicago ahead Candace Parker and Phoenix guard Skylar Diggins-Smith had been named to the All-WNBA First Group on Thursday, every incomes a $10,300 bonus. Connecticut’s Thomas and Jones, together with New York guard Sabrina Ionesco, Los Angeles ahead Nneka Ogwumike and Minnesota middle Sylvia Fowels made up the Second Group, every incomes a $5,150 bonus. Wilson and Stewart had been each unanimous choices.