UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Within the Connecticut Solar’s earlier two video games — each losses in opposition to 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 among Connecticut’s key gamers all season, sprained her ankle simply 4 minutes into the WNBA postseason, lacking the following three video games — all wins. Whereas she made her return on Tuesday, in Recreation 2 in opposition to Minnesota, she got here off the bench and performed restricted minutes.
After back-to-back losses, the Solar discovered themselves in a 2-1 collection gap, going through elimination in opposition to 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 mentioned 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 stable defender for us. So she’s received to be within the rotation.”
Harris responded. The 5’ 10 guard, one among 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, chargeable for half of Connecticut’s 8 whole 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 nicely,” White mentioned.
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 flattening pictures that now we have nice alternatives to achieve success. I’m grateful that she bounced again at this time and was excellent.” pic.twitter.com/buHGhyCacX
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) October 7, 2024
“We all know that when Ty is on the ground and flattening pictures that now we have nice alternatives to achieve success. I’m grateful that she bounced again at this time 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 workforce effort. Connecticut trailed by 7 on the half, however responded with an enormous third quarter wherein 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 taking pictures. Bonner had one among her finest performances of the postseason, scoring 18 factors on 8-12 taking pictures. DiJonai Carrington added 15 factors on 6-10 taking pictures, whereas Marina Mabrey added 10 factors off the bench.
Ty Harris addresses a raucous Mohegan Solar crowd after the victory.
“We compelled 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 compelled it to Recreation 5, and we’re going to do it there.” pic.twitter.com/gJoJ6fzIEp
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) October 6, 2024
The collection 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 can 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 surroundings, however the Solar are prepared for the problem.
“They’re nice followers,” Bonner mentioned of the Lynx followers awaiting them in Minneapolis. “They’re championship followers. They’ve received a number of championships, in order that they’re hungry for an additional one. It’s going to be loopy, however I believe we’ve been there — thank goodness for the primary two video games — so we all know what it seems like, and we’ll be ready to deal with that.”