Alyssa Thomas recorded the first triple-double in WNBA Finals history as the Suns ramped up their offense to support their usually formidable defense to stave off a 105-76 shutout over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. , Connecticut, on Thursday. Game 4 is Sunday (4 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Connecticut. Thomas, who was named to the All-WNBA second team before the upset, had 16 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists as the Sun went 4-0 in exclusive games this postseason. Thomas has three career triple-doubles with the first two coming earlier this season (July 22 vs. Minnesota and Aug. 2 vs. Phoenix). “We put the ball in her hands a lot tonight, and when things work as a coach, you feel really good that you pushed some right buttons,” Sun coach Curt Miller said. “But he is so selfless. You know, her and Candace [Parker] they’re the two best power forwards in the world, and it’s a lot of fun to watch the non-point guards share it. And tonight, he just sprayed the ball all night and it was fantastic to watch.” Jonquel Jones managed to score 20 points, but the trade was four fouls, limiting her to 25 minutes. The Sun ended the game on a 19-0 run. The Sun finally found their shots, and those shots were falling in the first half. The Sun set a Finals record with 82.4 percent shooting in the first quarter, which was also the highest-scoring first quarter in Finals history. Connecticut closed the first quarter on a 25-4 run. For the game, Connecticut shot 55.8% and 53.3% (8 of 15) from 3-point range. Sun had 38 rebounds and 32 assists on 43 field goals. DeWanna Bonner, who had scored just five points in the first two games of the series combined, scored nine points in the first half of Game 3. She finished with 18. Her offense needed a lot. The story continues Bonner also changed her defensive assignment, trying to slow down the Aces’ Chelsea Gray. It worked, as Gray only found success when Bonner was on the bench. There were flashes where the Aces looked like they would take control of the game. Gray hit three straight 3-pointers near the end of the first half and the Aces finished the second quarter on an 8-0 run capped by Kelsey Plum’s buzzer-beater. In the second half, however, Sun were in control of the team. Jackie Young led the Aces with 22 points, while Aja Wilson added 19. The Sun had a 23-point lead in the first half, the largest lead by either team in the series (the Sun won by 29 points, but that was after both benches were emptied with the game out of reach). Connecticut had 19 assists on 21 first-half field goals and pulled down 18 rebounds (16 defensive). Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas, left, looks to pass while Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson defends during the first half in Game 3 of a WNBA basketball finals series, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

How the Sun won Game 3

Miller’s defensive adjustments made the difference. Miller used Bonner’s length to try to slow down Gray and her phenomenal postseason run. It worked. Gray did not score after halftime. “Chelsea Gray’s numbers are historic right now in contested shots. So we’re pleased to go into two games tonight, 27 of her 33 shots in this series have been contested, 27 contested shots,” Miller said. “Well, we stayed in her position with her, trying to make it difficult, but she has an incredible release point and an incredible ability to score while competing. So we decided a little more time for her and we knew everyone would look out for her. everyone will watch over her tonight. But let’s put some time on her.” Bonner’s all-around game and the support of the home crowd was just what the Sun needed to force at least one more game. Bonner had struggled offensively earlier in the series, something Jones told her about before Thursday. Jones’ MVP-level play and Thomas’ triple-double can’t be discounted either. The all-round team effort was rewarded. The Sun could have stolen Game 1 in Vegas and they were confident after the three point loss. Their Game 3 exit was what was expected in Game 2, but it didn’t materialize.

How the Aces can bounce back in Game 4

Now, it’s up to the Aces to make defensive adjustments if they want to win their first title in franchise history. Las Vegas is known for its offense, but it needs to stop first when Connecticut gets rolling. “I’ve got a commanding crew in there. I won’t have to say much,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “Come back. Look for ways we can take advantage of what they’re doing and throw the ball up. This game was about physicality and mental toughness, and they smoked us, period. The physical comes next, but the mental for them was there. and not us.” There were glimpses in Game 3 where the Aces could get back on track and close out the series. Each time, though, the Sun kept pushing the ball in. Sun scored a finals record 64 points in the paint. the Aces had only 26. “That was just, I guess, the MO of the playoffs, right. Like even the Chicago series, the team that won the paint won the game. That’s where it happened,” Jones said. “You know, I think a long time ago, I talked to Lisa Leslie and she said, ‘To win the championship, you have to win the paint.’ I see it now and I feel it now and as a veteran now, I can definitely go back on it and say he was right.”

The WNBA Finals schedule

Game 1: Las Vegas 67, Connecticut 64 Game 2: Las Vegas 85, Connecticut 71 Game 3: Connecticut 105, Las Vegas 76 (Aces lead 2-1) Game 4: Las Vegas at Connecticut, 4 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN) Game 5: Connecticut at Las Vegas, 9 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN)*

  • – it it’s necessary