Sun top Sparks, collect first postseason win since 2012

UNCASVILLE — The Connecticut Sun billed themselves as underdogs heading into the WNBA semifinals.

That narrative may soon change, though.

The Sun made a statement in their series opener against the Los Angeles Sparks, registering an 84-75 victory Tuesday at Mohegan Sun Arena. In the process, they collected their first playoff win since 2012, which also happens to be the last time the franchise made the finals.

The finals, of course, remain the preferred destination for the Sun (24-11), who earned a bye after registering the league’s second-best record during the regular season.

Four starters scored in double-figures for the Sun, led by Alyssa Thomas’ 22 points. Jasmine Thomas scored 19 and Jonquel Jones contributed 16. Candace Parker led the Sparks with 24 points.

After back-to-back years of heartbreak in the playoffs — Connecticut lost second-round, single-elimination games to the Phoenix Mercury in 2017 and 2018 — the Sun will have an opportunity to take complete control against Los Angeles when the series resumes Thursday (6:30 p.m.) at home.

Jones broke a 64-64 tie with 6:24 left, sparking a 9-2 run that gave Connecticut breathing room. The Sun led by as many as nine points in the fourth.

Connecticut’s largest lead in the first half was 11 points, but Los Angeles eventually rallied. A jumper by Tierra Ruffin-Pratt gave the Sparks their first lead, 38-37, since the opening minutes. The Sparks remained in front at halftime, 40-37.

Whether it was playoff jitters or rust from a nine-day layoff, the Sun couldn’t get anything to fall early. Their first three shots didn’t even hit the rim. Altogether, they misfired on eight of their first nine attempts.

Fortunately, Alyssa Thomas was there to carry them through their tough start. She scored 13 of their first 15 points, and did so in a variety of ways. A buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Jasmine Thomas capped a 12-4 run and gave Connecticut a 21-14 lead after one quarter.