WNBA Finals: Connecticut Sun beat Washington Mystics in Game 4 to force series decider
Wednesday 9 October 2019 06:49, UK
Alyssa Thomas had 17 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to help the Connecticut Sun force a decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals with a 90-86 win over the Washington Mystics
With the season on the line, the Sun turned up their defense to stop the Mystics and stave off elimination. They held the Mystics without a point over the final 2:10 to seal victory 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 in the early hours of Friday morning in Washington with a first-time champion crowned. Thomas fell just short of the first triple-double 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. If you grew up a basketball fan, these are the moments you dreamed of."
Jonquel Jones had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Sun, who had five players score in double figures.
Connecticut blew a 16-point half-time 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 five-point lead. With their season on the line, the Sun responded.
Jasmine Thomas hit a three-pointer to put the Sun ahead 84-81. The lead was short-lived as Emma Meesseman answered with a triple from the wing to tie the game again.
Shekinna Stricklen, the league's three-point champion at the All-Star Game, then shook off a defender before making another trey to give the Sun an 87-84 advantage with 2:22 left. Natasha Cloud made a lay-up a few seconds later to get the Mystics within one. But Washington didn't score again.
Aerial Powers, who led Washington with 15 points, missed an open three-pointer in the corner with 27.5 seconds left that would have put the Mystics ahead.
"Both teams were making big shots. We'd make a three, they'd answer with a three," Miller said. "Ultimately we made a few more plays down the stretch. We got to the line down the stretch. Alyssa Thomas was the best foul shooter in the game."
Connecticut got the rebound and Jasmine Thomas sank two free throws with 18.4 seconds left to make it a three-point game.
After a timeout, Cloud drove to the basket but missed the shot and Alyssa Thomas corralled the rebound and hit the first of two free throws to seal the win.
"I think we also had a few open shots we didn't hit," Powers said. "The ball movement wasn't there, we didn't hit shots. We need to be better come [Game 5]."
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 than in Game 3, when she was limited to 26 minutes. The league MVP had 11 points and five rebounds while playing 30 minutes.
"I was a little looser today, so felt better. Hopefully continue to progress and feel better," Delle Donne said. "They were playing more aggressive defensively. They weren't letting us sit outside and shoot threes."
Having a chance to win the title at home gave the Mystics some confidence.
"That's what we worked for this whole season," Delle Donne said. "Can't rely on being home to get it done. 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 things difficult."
Game 4 held to form for this series, with the team that led after the first quarter coming away with the victory. The Sun outscored Washington by 15 in the opening period of Game 4.
The Mystics won the opening period of Game 1 by 13 points. Connecticut were ahead by 12 in the second game and Washington by 15 in Game 3. Each time, the team that was trailing in the period had 17 points.
Watch Game 5 of the WNBA Finals live on Sky Sports in the early hours of Friday morning (1am)