UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Within the Connecticut Solar’s earlier two video games — each losses towards the Minnesota Lynx — Ty Harris performed a mixed 13 minutes, and was held scoreless, seemingly nonetheless not herself since her return from damage. Harris, who has been one in every of Connecticut’s key gamers all season, sprained her ankle simply 4 minutes into the WNBA postseason, lacking the next three video games — all wins. Whereas she made her return on Tuesday, in Recreation 2 towards Minnesota, she got here off the bench and performed restricted minutes.
After back-to-back losses, the Solar discovered themselves in a 2-1 sequence gap, going through elimination towards the Lynx. Forward of a must-win Recreation 4, head coach Stephanie White made it clear that Harris was wanted. She’d be again within the beginning lineup rather than Marina Mabrey — and was anticipated to contribute as she has all yr.
“We want her to be on the market,” White stated pregame. “We want her to take pictures for us. We want her to be a shot maker for us. We want her to be a strong defender for us. So she’s obtained to be within the rotation.”
Harris responded. The 5’ 10 guard, one in every of Connecticut’s high shooters all yr, exploded for 20 factors — 13 of which got here within the second half. She shot 4-5 from past the arc, answerable for half of Connecticut’s 8 complete three-pointers.
“She offers us one other ground spacer, which opens issues up for AT to assault, opens issues up for Breezy when she’s on the ground, on the block, definitely makes DB and Marina’s life rather a lot simpler as properly,” White stated.
Stephanie White mentioned postgame what a giant distinction Ty Harris makes in opening issues up:
“We all know that when Ty is on the ground and pulling down pictures that we now have nice alternatives to achieve success. I’m grateful that she bounced again right now and was excellent.” pic.twitter.com/buHGhyCacX
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) October 7, 2024
“We all know that when Ty is on the ground and pulling down pictures that we now have nice alternatives to achieve success. I’m grateful that she bounced again right now and was excellent.”
In flip, the Solar — who appeared torpid and out of focus in Recreation 3 — got here away with a 92-82 win.
Turning issues round required a crew effort. Connecticut trailed by 7 on the half, however responded with an enormous third quarter by which they outscored the Lynx 25-13.
Alyssa Thomas, who shot simply 2-10 within the first half, bounced again with a 14-point second half efficiency to complete the sport with 18 factors on 8/17 capturing. Bonner had one in every of her finest performances of the postseason, scoring 18 factors on 8-12 capturing. DiJonai Carrington added 15 factors on 6-10 capturing, whereas Marina Mabrey added 10 factors off the bench.
Ty Harris addresses a raucous Mohegan Solar crowd after the victory.
“We pressured it to Recreation 5, and we’re going to do it there.”
Ty Harris addresses the Mohegan Solar crowd after an enormous 20-point efficiency:
“We pressured it to Recreation 5, and we’re going to do it there.” pic.twitter.com/gJoJ6fzIEp
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) October 6, 2024
The sequence will return to Minneapolis, the place the Lynx and Solar will face off in a deciding Recreation 5. The winner of that sport will advance to the WNBA finals, which is able to tip off at Barclay’s Middle on Thursday at 8pm ET, since earlier on Sunday, the Liberty defeated the Aces, 76-62, in Recreation 4 to cement their spot within the Finals.
An elimination sport at Goal Middle is bound to be a rowdy atmosphere, however the Solar are prepared for the problem.
“They’re nice followers,” Bonner stated of the Lynx followers awaiting them in Minneapolis. “They’re championship followers. They’ve gained a number of championships, so that they’re hungry for an additional one. It’s going to be loopy, however I feel we’ve been there — thank goodness for the primary two video games — so we all know what it sort of feels like, and we’ll be ready to deal with that.”
