GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• The Connecticut Sun defeated the Chicago Sky, 68-63, in the Game 1 of the best-of-five WNBA Semifinal series. This is the Sun’s first victory against the Sky since June 27 of the 2021 season.
• DeWanna Bonner finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals to lead Connecticut in the win.
• Candace Parker led Chicago with 19 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, four steals and six blocks in the effort.
• With 12 points in the contest, Alyssa Thomas moved into first place all-time in post-season scoring in Connecticut Sun franchise history. She now has 385 points in 25 post-season contests.
• Bonner moved into sixth all-time in WNBA post-season rebounding and sixth all-time in WNBA post-season steals. She now has 428 rebounds and 72 steals in 65 career playoff games.
• The Sun began the first quarter on an 11-4 run, forcing the Sky to call an early timeout with 5:46 remaining in the first. Courtney Williams led Connecticut with four points in the opening stretch.
• Connecticut held a 19-16 lead over Chicago after the first quarter of action. Thomas finished the first ten minutes with eight points, two rebounds and one steal to lead the Sun.
• The Sun trailed the Sky, 28-26, with 5:17 to go in the first half after the Sky opened the second quarter on a 12-7 run.
• The contest was all tied up at the half, 34-34, after Chicago outscored Connecticut, 18-15, in the second quarter.
• Thomas had eight points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal, while Jonquel Jones had eight points, three rebounds and two steals to lead the Sun at the break. Kahleah Copper and Candace Parker had nine points apiece to lead the Sky.
• Connecticut outscored Chicago in the paint (20-16), in second-chance points (4-0), on the fast-break (8-2) and in bench points (10-9) through twenty minutes of action.
• The Sun took care of the ball through two quarters, only turning it over three times. The Sun forced seven Sky turnovers, leading to 11 points of their 34 first-half points.
• Chicago opened the second half on a 10-6 run to take a four-point edge over Connecticut, 44-40, with 5:08 to go in the third quarter. Bonner, Jones and Williams each had two points in the opening stretch out of the locker room.
• The Sun answered the Sky’s opening run with a 10-0 run of their own, taking a 50-44 advantage with 2:50 remaining in the third. Bonner and Natisha Hiedeman each nailed triples in that period.
• Connecticut led Chicago, 54-46, after the third quarter. The Sun outscored the Sky, 20-12, in the ten minutes out of the break. Bonner tallied nine of her 15 points to lead the Sun through the third.
• The Sky opened the fourth quarter on a quick 4-0 run to cut the Sun’s lead to four, 54-50, with 8:47 to play in the contest.
• Chicago held a 63-62 lead over Connecticut with 1:54, but Connecticut was able to close out the game on a 6-0 run and take home the 68-63 victory.
• Thomas finished with a double-double, tallying 12 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and one steal in the victory. Jones added 12 points, nine rebounds, two steals and one block.

NEXT GAME

The Connecticut Sun are back in action on Wednesday, August 31 for Game 2 of the best-of-five WNBA Semifinal series against the Chicago Sky at 8:00 P.M. EST at Wintrust Arena. The Sun lead the series 1-0 and will look to take a 2-0 advantage into Game 3 in Connecticut.