Game 5 of the WNBA’s semifinals between the Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun looked like a Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals.
And in spite of a promising start for the Sun, the Aces proved to be three points better than Connecticut on Tuesday night as the Aces bested the Sun by a final of 66-63, clinching a date with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA Finals.
If the early moments of the contest were any indication, the Sun had a return trip to the Finals firmly in its grasp after racing out to a 30-17 lead early on. In fact, the Connecticut advantage was as much as 16 at one point in the game.
ICYMI: The Aces are headed to the @WNBA Finals after last night’s win over the Sun@_ajawilson22: 23 PTS // 11 REB // 3 BLK@angel_35: 20 PTS // 3 AST // 3 STL@kaymac_2123: 10 PTS // 5 REB // 4 AST@justdrob: 7 PTS // 10 REB // 2 STL@carolynswords: 6 PTS // 10 REB#ALLIN ♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/JFRhRwBMZq
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 30, 2020
The moment 🥳🥳🥳#ALLIN ♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/vTmJ5LqQNu
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 30, 2020
♦️♠️♣️♥️♣️♣️♥️♥️♦️♠️♣️♣️♠️♣️♦️♠️♣️♥️♣️♣️♦️♣️♣️♠️♠️♦️♠️♣️♥️♣️♠️♠️♥️♦️♣️♥️ https://t.co/0Q164pekOt
— Elizabeth Cambage (@ecambage) September 30, 2020
The Sun even led 45-39 at the half – and it appeared as if Connecticut would extend its lead early in the third quarter. With the Sun ahead 49-39, a combination of execution on offense by the Aces and a stifling Las Vegas defense that had Connecticut out of sorts allowed for a 13-0 Aces run and a 52-49 lead.
Connecticut still led with less than a minute to go in the game before A’ja Wilson was fouled on two occasions and made all four of her tries at the free throw line. The Aces led 66-63 and would win by this final score.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ pic.twitter.com/gyg1R1huRx
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) September 30, 2020
We love to see it!#SUNState pic.twitter.com/igt0pXjjEM
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) September 30, 2020
To the best fans in the WNBA, thank you. Your faith in us never wavered. Even though we couldn’t be together, you were a driving force behind a season we will never forget. We could feel the ❤️ each time we stepped on the court.☀️ pic.twitter.com/L3jrene9ae
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) September 30, 2020
Wilson scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds plus four assists and three blocked shots. Angel McCoughtry scored 20 and also had three steals. Kayla McBride tallied 10 and dished out four assists while Danielle Robinson compiled 10 rebounds.
For the Sun, Alyssa Thomas finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. DeWanna Bonner scored 15 with eight boards and six assists plus three blocked shots. Brionna Jones had 12 rebounds while Jasmine Thomas was held to only nine points on four of 15 shooting.
Hear from the @LVAces after Game 5 of the #ATTPlayoffs Semifinals. https://t.co/6YGCMtDtj5
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 30, 2020
Hear from the @ConnecticutSun after Game 5 of the #ATTPlayoffs Semifinals. https://t.co/JSG4l56Aka
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 30, 2020
