Ty Harris leads Solar to win over Lynx, serving to Connecticut keep away from WNBA playoff elimination

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 harm. Harris, who has been certainly one 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 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 12 months.

“We’d like her to be on the market,” White stated pregame. “We’d like her to take pictures for us. We’d like her to be a shot maker for us. We’d like her to be a strong defender for us. So she’s acquired to be within the rotation.”

Harris responded. The 5’ 10 guard, certainly one of Connecticut’s prime shooters all 12 months, exploded for 20 factors — 13 of which got here within the second half. She shot 4-5 from past the arc, liable 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, actually makes DB and Marina’s life so much simpler as properly,” White stated.

“We all know that when Ty is on the ground and pulling down pictures that we’ve nice alternatives to achieve success. I’m grateful that she bounced again at present 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 a large third quarter through 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 certainly one 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.”

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 setting, 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 one more 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 sort of feels like, and we’ll be ready to deal with that.”