In the first WNBA playoff game of the season, the Chicago Sky took on the Connecticut Sun. Connecticut won the game 94-81 behind DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas to move on to play the Los Angeles Sparks in another single-elimination round.
The game was tied at 41 at halftime, but the Sun started the second half on a 13-2 run and outscored Chicago 27-11 in the third period. The third period was the turning point of the game; Chicago could not overcome the third quarter.
Bonner and Thomas led the way
DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas led the way for Connecticut. Bonner scored 23 points and added 12 rebounds; she did most of her work from the free-throw line making all 13 shots from the charity stripe. Bonner shot four of nine from the field, but she was very aggressive going to the basket to draw fouls.
Thomas scored 26 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 10 of 19 from the field and making six out of seven free throws. Thomas is bulldozer out on the court; she grabs rebounds and pushes the tempo. Thomas also dished out eight assists. The power forward did most of her work in the paint in the game against Chicago.
Rebounding
Connecticut dominated the rebounding, battle-winning it 40-21. The Sun also added 17 offensive rebounds. Thomas led the way with 13 rebounds, and ten of them were offensive; that was huge for second shot opportunities. Bonner added 12, and Brionna Jones added eight more rebounds. Connecticut did a good job boxing out and playing physical inside to get rebounds.
Free Throws
Another critical factor in the playoff match was the free-throw difference; the Sun attempted 13 more free throws and made 14 more than Chicago. Connecticut finished the game shooting making 27-29 free throws, which was good for 93.1%. Chicago made 13 of 16 free throws. The Sun were aggressive going to the basket and getting second shot chances to get to the free-throw line. If Bonner and Thomas can keep playing like this, Connecticut could make some noise in the playoffs.
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