Alyssa Thomas and the Connecticut Solar have been completely happy to lastly shut out a gap spherical sequence at residence in two video games.
Thomas had 19 factors and 13 assists to assist the Solar sweep rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever out of the playoffs with an 87-81 win Wednesday night time.
For the reason that league modified its playoff format in 2022, the Solar have wanted to win a decisive third recreation on the highway within the first spherical to advance, which they did each years. This time, they have been capable of do it at residence.
“Lastly locked in and took benefit of homecourt benefit,” mentioned Thomas, who had a triple-double within the Sport 1 win. “We’re prepared. Examined tonight and it wasn’t fairly, however that is the character of playoffs. We pulled out a gutsy win. We’re hungry and prepared. … We’re prepared for what the playoff journey goes to unfold.”
The third-seeded Solar will now face Minnesota within the semifinals, which start Sunday.
Clark performed a lot better in Sport 2 than she did in her postseason debut Sunday. The AP Rookie of the 12 months completed with 25 factors and 9 assists, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient.
“Clearly it is a robust one, particularly as we climbed all the way in which again in and simply to have our alternatives late,” Clark mentioned.
Aliyah Boston added 16 factors and 19 rebounds. Her layup with 2:05 left gave Indiana a 77-75 benefit however DeWanna Bonner, who was enjoying in her WNBA document matching 82nd playoff recreation to match Lindsay Whalen, answered with a 3-pointer 14 seconds later.
Neither crew scored on their subsequent few possessions till Marina Mabrey hit a 3-pointer from the wing with 45.5 seconds left to provide the Solar an 81-77 lead.
Kelsey Mitchell missed a 3 on the Fever’s subsequent possession and the Solar sealed the sport from the foul line.
Trailing by seven on the half, the Fever scored the primary seven factors of the third quarter to tie the sport. The groups traded baskets till Lexie Hull’s layup gave the Fever a 48-47 lead halfway by way of the interval.
It was short-lived as Thomas took over, scoring 10 factors throughout a 14-4 run to shut the quarter.
Clark introduced the Fever again together with her 3-pointer, giving the crew a 71-70 lead with 3:59 left and the groups traded baskets till Bonner’s 3.
Indiana received off to a quick begin and was up 14-6 earlier than the Solar scored the ultimate 11 factors of the primary quarter to go up by three. With 1:29 left within the quarter after a foul, Clark identified a fan sitting within the second row to an official, who known as safety over and had the person escorted to the again. The fan later returned and there have been no additional incidents.
The run continued to begin the second as Connecticut went up 26-16 on Carrington’s layup with 7:32 left within the half. The Solar led 41-34 at intermission. Carrington was honored earlier than the sport because the league’s Most Improved Participant.
On the final play of the half, Erica Wheeler went in for a layup attempting to beat the buzzer and went flying into the courtside photographers. She was down for a couple of minutes earlier than getting up and strolling again to the locker room. She had her left thumb checked out and did not return within the second half.
Clark completed the half with 14 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Solar have been lacking beginning guard Tyasha Harris, who injured her ankle in Sunday’s win. Mabrey began in her place.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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