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WNBA Connecticut Sun

Connecticut Sun Defeat Minnesota Lynx, 89-84

June 1, 2023 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release


Minneapolis, MN - Tonight, the Connecticut Sun (5-1) defeated the Minnesota Lynx (0-6), 89-84.

The Sun was led by a 16-point and 16-assist performance from Alyssa Thomas. She also grabbed nine rebounds in the win. Thomas's 16 assists set a new Connecticut Sun franchise record for most assists in a single game. It also marks a new career high.

The previous record was held by Sun great, Lindsey Whalen, who dished out 13 assists in a game against the Detroit Shock on 6/27/04.

Minnesota took an early 12-11 lead over Connecticut heading into the first media timeout of the contest. Thomas started the Sun off with four points and three assists five minutes into the game. The Sun finished the first quarter on a 16-12 run to take a three-point lead into the second, 27-24.

The Lynx began the second quarter on a 7-0 run, but the Sun responded on an 8-0 run of their own to take a 35-31 lead with 6:48 to play in the first half. After leading by as many as eight in the second quarter, the Sun gave up a 12-4 run to the Lynx to finish the half knotted at 47-47.

Thomas set a new franchise record for most assists in a single half with 10 assists in the first half. She also added eight points, two rebounds and one block. The previous record was held by Renee Montgomery who tallied nine assists in the second half against Seattle on August 5, 2010.

The Sun started the second half on an 8-0 run to force the Lynx into an early timeout, leading 55-47 with 8:15 remaining in the third quarter. Natisha Hiedeman notched six of the Sun's eight points on that run. Connecticut held Minnesota scoreless in the third quarter until the 4:25 mark.

The Sun led the Lynx, 69-59, after three quarters of action. Hiedeman tallied nine of her 19 points in the ten minutes coming out of the locker room to lead Connecticut.

Minnesota outscored Connecticut, 12-6, to open the fourth quarter, to cut the lead to four, 75-71, with 6:11 to play in the game. The Lynx continued to battle tying the game twice down the stretch at the 4:02 (79-79) and 3:23 mark (81-81).

The Sun was able to pull away, going on an 8-3 run to finish the game, behind four points from Thomas.

Minnesota was led by Napheesa Collier who tallied a season-high 30 points, two rebounds, four assists and one block.

Connecticut shot a season-best 50.7% (36-71) from the floor, while holding Minnesota to 45% (27-60) from the field.

Sun Notes:

With 13 points in tonight's game, DeWanna Bonner moved into 11th all-time in scoring in WNBA history, passing Lisa Leslie. She now has 6,274 points in her career.

Natisha Hiedeman tied a career-high with 19 points, one rebound, six assists and one steal.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa grabbed a season-high five rebounds.

DiJonai Carrington tallied a season-high seven points.

Rebecca Allen finished with a season-high eight points.

The team tallied a season-high 88 points, 36 made field goals and 27 assists.

The Sun outscored the Lynx 52-26 in the paint and 13-2 on the fast break.

Thomas joins Courtney Vandersloot as the only players in WNBA history with a 15+ point and 15+ assist game.

Thomas notched her fifth points/assists double-double of her career.

Check out the Connecticut Sun Statistics



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 1, 2023


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