The Connecticut Sun fell to the New York Liberty in Game Three of the WNBA Playoffs’ Semi-Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, Sept. 30, by a score of 92-81.
The league’s Most Valuable Player Award winner, Breanna Stewart, made it look easy, scoring 25 points on 11-19 from the field while adding 11 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal for the Liberty.
MVP runner-up Alyssa Thomas matched her step-for-step for the Sun, putting up 23 points, shooting 11-17, and just missing a triple-double with 14 assists and nine rebounds.
New York put up a dominant first half on offense, going into the break with 54 points, 37 of which came in the first quarter. The early deficit was too much for Connecticut to overcome despite outscoring the Liberty 24-17 in the second quarter and 21-18 in the third.
Tensions were running high on both sides but spilled over for the Sun. Natisha Hiedeman, known for her fast-paced, scrappy play at point guard, had two early fouls that forced her to the bench.
Dijonai Carrington had to be pulled away from a teammate by DeWanna Bonner during an early timeout, causing the sharpshooter to play just three minutes in the entire game by choice of head coach Stephanie White.
White, the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year in her first season with the Sun, was already without forward Brionna Jones, who tore her Achilles’ tendon early in the season, and guard Rebecca Allen, who was active but stayed out of the game with an illness.
Losing Jones for the season meant that forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa was thrust into a much more significant role in just her second season. With Allen unavailable, Nelson-Ododa made her first start of the season, posting 14 points on 6-7 shooting, and added three rebounds and two blocks.
“Liv had to grow up fast, with us losing Bri,” Thomas said. “She allows us to play different looks. I think the biggest thing is her coming in and playing with consistency.”
White had a similar glowing review of Nelson-Ododa.
“Since day one, we’ve talked about Liv’s ability to impact our team, keeping the perspective that she is still just a second-year player,” White said. “Her growth has been a tribute to the work that she has put in.”
Learning to play without Brionna Jones was not easy after her injury, but Bonner had no doubts that it would be fine.
“We figured out how to score and how we can be successful. I think Tiffany [Hayes] kind of benefited from it as well,” Bonner said. “When the court is open, we use our speed because we don’t have that muscle inside anymore.”
