Alyssa Thomas racked up the first triple-double in WNBA Finals history and the Connecticut Sun extended their season by turning back the Las Vegas Aces 105-76 in Game 3 on Thursday night in Uncasville, Conn.
Thomas recorded 16 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists for the Sun, who still trail the best-of-five series 2-1. She secured the triple-double with 9:10 remaining.
Game 4 is set for Sunday, also in Connecticut. If a Game 5 is necessary, it would be played Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
The Sun used a torrid stretch early in the game and repelled several rallies from the Aces to take advantage of their home-court setting. Jonquel Jones notched a team-high 20 points.
DeWanna Bonner tallied 18 points, Natisha Hiedeman had 14 points, reserve DiJonai Carrington provided 12 points and Courtney Williams added 11 points for Connecticut, which shot 8-for-15 on 3-point attempts.
The Aces were within 75-69 with a minute to play in the third quarter. The next eight points were posted by the Sun, who stretched their lead to more than 20 points after a similar margin was reduced quickly earlier in the game.
Jackie Young’s 22 points — aided by five 3-pointers — and A’ja Wilson’s 19 points paced Las Vegas. Kelsey Plum added 17 points and Chelsea Gray put up 11 points to go with seven assists.
Connecticut, which was held to 64 and 71 points in the first two games of the series, reached the 71-point mark on Thursday with more than three minutes to play in the third quarter.
All five starters for the Sun held double-figure point totals before the end of three quarters. Connecticut flexed in the paint with a 38-24 rebounding edge on the night.
The Sun rose quickly after Las Vegas held an early 15-9 lead, answering with a 15-2 run to go on top by seven.
The margin grew to 34-19 by the end of the first quarter, and the Sun didn’t stop there. Connecticut scored the first seven points of the second quarter, eventually holding a 48-25 edge.
The Aces got it together for an 8-0 spurt in the last 85 seconds of the first half. The surge was capped by Plum’s 3-point runner just a few steps after crossing midcourt, closing the gap to 53-42 at the break.
–Field Level Media
Third baseman Eugenio Suarez was beloved in his two seasons in Seattle. But with the Mariners looking to shed payroll and cut down on strikeouts, Suarez was shipped to the…
Chris Paddack started the Minnesota Twins’ winning streak. Now, the veteran right-hander will try to keep it going. The Twins will go for their sixth win in a row when…
A flourishing bullpen and its struggling counterpart prepare for another potential duel Saturday night when the San Francisco Giants go for two in a row over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates….
Surging Twins seek second straight vs. Angels
Giants hope for another strong pitching performance vs. Pirates
Joey Ortiz, Brewers seek another win vs. Yankees
Braves, RBI leader Marcell Ozuna look to drive home another win vs. Guardians