Alyssa Thomas records sixth career triple-double in regular season play
Uncasville, CT (July 30, 2023)- Today, the Connecticut Sun (18-7) fell to the Minnesota Lynx (13-13), 87-83, in their first of two match-ups this week.
The Sun was led by DeWanna Bonner who notched her second-straight 30-point performance with 31 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block.
Alyssa Thomas recorded her fourth triple-double of the 2023 season and sixth in her regular season career, with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.
1Q- The Sun trailed the Lynx, 13-10, heading into the first media timeout of the contest. Bonner tallied eight of Connecticut’s ten points through the first five minutes. The Sun outscored the Lynx, 11-10, to finish the quarter, cutting the lead to two, 23-21, heading into the second. Bonner notched 12 points in the first quarter to lead all scorers. Connecticut shot 31.8% (7-22), while Minnesota shot 60% (9-15) from the field in the first ten minutes.
2Q- Minnesota led Connecticut, 33-31, with 5:44 remaining in the first half, with each team notching 10 points in the opening minutes of the second quarter. DiJonai Carrington and Olivia Nelson-Ododa each had four points for the Sun on that stretch. The Lynx extended their lead to eight points, 44-36, with 1:58 to go in the first half. The Sun were able to respond, ending the quarter on an 8-4 run to close the gap to four, 48-44, heading into the break.
Bonner led the Sun with 16 points, one assist and three steals. Thomas added eight points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals through twenty minutes. 17 of Connecticut’s 44 first half points came from the free throw line. The Sun struggled from the field, shooting 35.1% (13-37), while the Lynx were 63.3% (19-30) from the floor in the first half.
3Q- Both teams opened the second half notching 14 points apiece, with the Lynx taking a 62-58, lead with 2:43 to go in the third quarter. Bonner tallied six of the Sun’s 14 points in the opening minutes of the second half. The Lynx went on a quick 4-0 to push their lead to eight, 66-58, forcing the Sun into a timeout with 50.6 seconds to go in the quarter. Minnesota outscored Connecticut, 20-18, in the third quarter to take a six-point lead, 68-62, heading into the fourth.
4Q- Connecticut and Minnesota each tallied 10 points in the first five minutes of the fourth, with Minnesota leading 78-72 with 5:08 to go in the contest. The Sun were able to cut the Lynx’s lead to one three times in the final 1:22 of the game, however the Lynx were able to hang on for the four-point victory, 87-83. Thomas notched nine points, six rebounds and four assists in the closing ten minutes.
Minnesota was led by Kayla McBride who tallied 19 points, three assists and one steal.
The Lynx shot 57.4% (35-61) from the floor, marking the highest field goal percentage the Sun have allowed this season.
Sun Notes:
- Tiffany Hayes grabbed her 1,000th career-rebound in today’s game.
- DeWanna Bonner moved into 13th all-time in Sun history in rebounds, passing Jasmine Thomas (667).
- Alyssa Thomas leads the WNBA with six regular-season triple doubles.
- The Sun shot a season-low 17.6% from three-point range, going 3-17.
- Olivia Nelson-Ododa notched a season-high three blocks.
| Team | Score | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | PTS | REB | AST |
| CON | 83 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 21 | Bonner- 31 | Thomas- 14 | Thomas- 11 |
| MIN | 87 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 19 | McBride- 19 | Shepard- 14 | Allen- 6 |
NEXT GAME: The Connecticut Sun are back home on Tuesday, August 1 at 7:00 PM ET taking on the Minnesota Lynx in the second of a two-game homestand.