The WNBA semifinals kicked off on Sunday with two highly-entertaining video games. The No. 1-seed New York Liberty took care of the No. 4-seed Las Vegas Aces, successful 87-77, and the No. 3-seed Connecticut Solar defeated the No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx 73-70 on the street.
As these are a best-of-five collection, elimination will not be on the desk for any groups heading into Sport 2. Nevertheless, the losers of Sport 1 shall be looking to even the collection earlier than we swap places for Sport 3.
Right here is the recap on how New York and Connecticut dealt with enterprise:
Breanna Stewart is nice at basketball
It was the Breanna Stewart present in Brooklyn. She scored 34 factors on 12-for-19 taking pictures for the Liberty, because the Aces by no means discovered a defender who might sluggish her down. It’s only one sport, but when she proves to be unguardable, then perhaps the Aces’ three-peat goals are really useless.
Breanna Stewart getting it accomplished on each ends.
-Switches, switches again, there on the catch on the backdoor minimize.
-Pushes and hits a 3 in transition pic.twitter.com/oZZeKsgN0g— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) September 29, 2024
Even when it was the Stewart present, you want a great sport from multiple participant to beat Las Vegas. Sabrina Ionescu was sensational, scoring 21, eight of which she scored within the fourth quarter. Jonquel Jones had one of many quietest double-doubles you’ll ever see, however she additionally was efficient, ending the afternoon with 13 factors and 12 rebounds.
Las Vegas misplaced, however they by no means relented. Whereas New York was in management your entire sport, by no means trailing and main by as many as 18 factors, the Aces stored occurring runs and minimize the hole a number of occasions. They’d a 7-0 scoring burst within the second quarter, a 12-0 run within the third and obtained the deficit below double digits within the fourth.
Kelsey Plum was an enormous purpose why the Aces stored hanging round. She led the group in scoring with 24 factors and stayed aggressive all sport lengthy. Plum even had a back-and-forth second with well-known New York basketball fan Spike Lee from the sidelines.
In the long run, the Aces couldn’t get A’ja Wilson concerned sufficient offensively, and so they seemed extra like a No. 4 seed than title contenders. One other victory by the Liberty would put their backs in opposition to the wall, however for now, they’ll give attention to stealing Sport 2 on the street.
Solar end robust
The Solar-Lynx matchup was a defensive battle, and Minnesota was in entrance to start out the fourth.
Nevertheless, Connecticut clamped Minnesota within the last body, permitting them to attain simply eight factors. Minnesota nonetheless had a possibility to tie the sport on their last possession, however Connecticut didn’t give them a great have a look at the basket. The Lynx needed to accept a desperation 3-pointer by Naphessa Collier, which didn’t go in.
Protection wins video games, however Marina Mabrey’s offense stored the Solar on this one. Mabrey’s addition has raised the ceiling of this group, and her 20 factors, together with six 3-pointers, are an enormous purpose the Solar are up 1-0 on this collection.
Alyssa Thomas was her celebrity self for Connecticut, scoring 17 factors and grabbing 10 boards. DeWanna Bonner struggled a lot of the night time, however nonetheless had 10 factors and 11 rebounds; she additionally was a key participant in that last defensive cease.
The Lynx will now look to bounce again in Sport 2 by seeing what they will do to slowdown Mabrey and the way they will get a bit extra offensive manufacturing. It might’t simply be the Collier present on Tuesday, or they’ll be down 0-2 heading to Connecticut and at risk of getting swept.
