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The Connecticut Solar sealed a should win recreation three victory on the street in opposition to 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 PTSDeWanna Bonner:
➡️ 25 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST
➡️ fifth participant in WNBA Historical past to file 1,000 Playoff PTS
➡️ seventh All-Time in Playoff 3PM2023 #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 probably going through elimination on a troublesome street matchup on the Goal Middle. 14-6 on the street, the Solar confronted a Minnesota Lynx crew who have been beneath .500 at house and have been plagued with accidents. With out Jessica Shepard, Lindsay Allen, and Aerial Powers, Minnesota was in a position to safe the 82-75 recreation two victory over the Connecticut Sun.
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 combined for 53 factors, 18 assists, 16 rebounds, three blocks, and shot 21-33. The duo made up almost 60 p.c of the crew’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 damage 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 in a position to 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 means of three video games in opposition to the Lynx, Thomas averaged 23 factors, 9.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 5.7 rebounds.
Very similar to we projected, Thomas performed a complete 40 minutes of basketball. Whereas getting an early lead was necessary, Thomas created factors off turnovers, which included assists on the surface. Her skill to distribute to her teammates was impeccable, alongside together with her energy offensively down within the put up. With a commanding 17-6 lead, DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas confirmed their chemistry on the court docket, creating alternatives for one another off the choose and roll. Under is a primary instance of Alyssa Thomas energy, taking up three defenders within the paint.
The dimes have been dropped final night time because the @ConnecticutSun secured their fifth consecutive Semi-Finals look 🤝
Take a look at 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 an announcement. 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 checklist.
Good up to now 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 night time, 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 soar 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, by which 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 points and began on a 20-6 run. By the half, Connecticut outscored Minnesota 49-34, by which 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 purpose till Carleton’s three-point shot across the 8-minute mark. From there, the Lynx have been held to 30 factors via the subsequent two quarters.
Tyasha Harris shines as the final word x-factor
Tyasha Harris confirmed why she may be such an x-factor for this crew, 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 a significant function, the guard shot 7-11 from the sector, and 4-6 from the three-point line. By means of 40 video games performed, Harris led the WNBA in three-point proportion, which was a career-high (46.4 p.c). She was wonderful round screens set by Alyssa Thomas and was in a position to drop within the pictures and layups. Her confidence was at an all-time excessive, as she ripped a protracted 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 purpose taking pictures. The Lynx beginning 4 mixed for less than 26 factors, by which they completed 43.3 p.c from the sector. Though the Lynx reduce the deficit to 1 level within the third quarter, they have been shutout primarily till the ultimate quarter of the sport.
Kayla McBride was a big think about 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 crew, 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. The most effective of 5 video games, the Liberty can have house court docket 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 deal with the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at the moment resides in Connecticut together 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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