Jones powers Sun to force deciding Game 5
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — With the season on the line, Alyssa Thomas and the Connecticut Sun turned up their defense to stop the Washington Mystics and force a decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.
Thomas had 17 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds and the Sun held the Mystics without a point over the final 2:10 to beat Washington 9086 on Tuesday night.
“It was just about being together out there, being on the same page, knowing the game plan and protecting home court,” Thomas said. “When we’re all locked in and on the same page, we just move in unison.”
The title will be decided Thursday night in Washington with a firsttime champion crowned. Thomas fell just short of the first tripledouble in Finals history.
“We’re having the time of our life right now,” Sun coach Curt Miller said. “You dream as a little kid being in a deciding final game, a Game 7 or 5 to win a world championship.”
Jonquel Jones had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Sun, who had five players score in double figures.
Connecticut blew a 16point halftime lead as Washington used a huge third quarter to tie the game at 68. The Mystics kept it going to start the fourth, opening up a fivepoint lead. With their season on the line, the Sun responded.
Jasmine Thomas hit a 3pointer to put the Sun ahead 8481. The lead was shortlived as Emma Meesseman answered with a 3 from the wing to tie the game again.
Shekinna Stricklen, the league’s 3point champion at the AllStar Game, then shook off a defender before making another 3 to give the Sun an 8784 advantage with 2:22 left. Natasha Cloud made a layup a few seconds later to get the Mystics within one. But Washington didn’t score again.
Elena Delle Donne, who left Game 2 with back spasms that an MRI later showed resulted from a herniated disk, was able to play more Tuesday night than in Game 3, when she was limited to 26 minutes. The league MVP had 11 points and five rebounds while playing 30 minutes.
“Can’t rely on being home to get it done,” Delle Donne said. “The way we came out and started the game dug us into a huge hole. They are a great team, and you give that type of lead to them, makes thing difficult.”