Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Thomas-led Sun sweep Clark, Fever out of playoffs

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Wednesday, 25 September 2024 19:49

UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Alyssa Thomas had 19 points and 13 assists to help the Connecticut Sun sweep Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever out of the playoffs with an 87-81 win Wednesday night.

The third-seeded Sun will now face either Minnesota or Phoenix in the semifinals which begin Sunday. It will be Connecticut's sixth consecutive appearance in the semifinal round or later, tying the second-longest streak by any team in WNBA history.

Thomas finished with 26 assists in the two-game series, tied with Sue Bird (2020) for the most assists over a two-game span within a postseason all-time.

Clark played much better in Game 2 than she did in her postseason debut Sunday. The AP Rookie of the Year finished with 25 points and nine assists, but it wasn't enough. Aliyah Boston added 16 points and 19 rebounds.

Boston's layup with 2:05 left gave Indiana a 77-75 advantage but DeWanna Bonner, who was playing in her WNBA record matching 82nd playoff game to match Lindsay Whalen, answered with a 3-pointer 14 seconds later.

Neither team scored on their next few possessions until Marina Mabrey hit a 3-pointer from the wing with 45.5 seconds left to give the Sun an 81-77 lead.

Kelsey Mitchell missed a 3 on the Fever's next possession and the Sun sealed the game from the foul line.

Trailing by seven at the half, the Fever scored the first seven points of the third quarter to tie the game up. The teams traded baskets until Lexie Hull's layup gave the Fever a 48-47 lead midway through the period.

It was short lived as Thomas took over, scoring 10 points during a 14-4 run to close the quarter. Thomas joined Phoenix's Diana Taurasi as the only players with multiple 15-point, 10-assist performances in series-clinching games in WNBA history (including single elimination games).

Clark brought the Fever back with her 3-pointer giving the team a 71-70 lead with 3:59 left and the teams traded baskets until Bonner's 3.

Indiana got off to a fast start and was up 14-6 before the Sun scored the final 11 points of the first quarter to go up by three. With 1:29 left in the quarter after a foul, Clark pointed out a fan sitting in the second row to an official, who called security over and had the individual escorted to the back. The fan returned later and there were no further incidents.

The run continued to start the second as Connecticut went up 26-16 on Carrington's layup with 7:32 left in the half. The Sun led 41-34 at the half. Carrington was honored before the game as the league's Most Improved Player.

On the last play of the half, Erica Wheeler went in for a layup trying to beat the buzzer and went flying into the courtside photographers. She was down for a few minutes before getting up and walking back to the locker room. She had her left thumb looked at and didn't return in the second half.

Clark finished the half with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Sun were missing starting guard Tyasha Harris, who injured her ankle in Sunday's win. Mabrey started in her place.

ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 6 times

Soccer

Liverpool gambling with high stakes over Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool gambling with high stakes over Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool could lose three of their best players -- Mohamed Salah,...

Leverkusen will be the true test of Kompany's Bayern revival

Leverkusen will be the true test of Kompany's Bayern revival

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMUNICH -- It's probably not an example of perfect planning to be st...

Messi, Miami seal Concacaf Champions Cup place

Messi, Miami seal Concacaf Champions Cup place

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami has officially qualified to the 2025 Concacaf Champions...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Warriors set for camp thinking they're better club

Warriors set for camp thinking they're better club

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- As the Golden State Warriors prepare to travel to...

Nuggets still within their 'championship window'

Nuggets still within their 'championship window'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- With a blue banner commemorating the team's 2023 NBA cham...

Baseball

Yankees clinch East as Judge extends HR streak

Yankees clinch East as Judge extends HR streak

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 58th home run,...

Neto departs Angels' loss with injured shoulder

Neto departs Angels' loss with injured shoulder

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- Angels shortstop Zach Neto left Thursday's 7-0 loss to t...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated