– by Adesina O. Koiki
A Lot of Sports Talk editor-in-chief
Follow @Koiki_Sport Follow @ALOST_Official
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT — Knowing their opponent needed to win to have any chance at the postseason, the Connecticut Sun remembered that their game also meant as much to them — and proceeded to stifle any hopes that a postseason berth might be clinched at their expense from the word “go.”
Ty Harris scored 15 points, DiJonai Carrington had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and the Connecticut Sun exploded in the third quarter to easily dispatch the Chicago Sky 87-54 inside Mohegan Sun Arena in the regular-season finale for both teams. With the win, the Sun (28-12) clinched the No. 3 seed in the playoffs and will face sixth-seed Indiana in the first round starting Sunday.
Chicago came into tonight needing a win plus losses by Atlanta (in New York) and Washington (to Indiana) to earn the eighth and final playoff spot, and Connecticut had to win to ensure not being passed by the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the standings — and thus avoiding both the Aces and top-seeded New York Liberty in a potential playoff match-up until the championship round.
The Sun were in championship form, especially in the third quarter. Already up by 11 at halftime, Connecticut outscored Chicago 23-6 in the third quarter to put the game away, holding the Sky to just 2-of-12 shooting in the frame.
Six different players scored in double figures for Connecticut, led by Harris’ 15. Alyssa Thomas had 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists, while former Sky player Marina Mabrey and Olivia Nelson-Ododa each scored 12 points off the bench.
Chicago dressed only eight players and had five regular contributors in the lineup — Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Chennedy Carter, Diamond DeShields and Elizabeth Williams — all out due to injury. Dana Evans led Chicago in scoring with 14 points of the bench while Isabelle Harrison had 13 points and 11 rebounds.
*Editor’s note: Above the byline is the photo gallery from Thursday evening’s game, with photos taken by New England-area photographer Joseph Denhoff. After clicking on a photo to enlarge the picture, press the left and right arrow buttons on either side of the caption to scroll through the rest of the pictures that appear on the first page. Also, click on the numbers and/or arrow appearing immediately below the picture grid to load the next set of photos. There are 27 pictures in total.
Follow @Koiki_Sport Follow @ALOST_Official
