On Sunday, the New York Liberty fell to the Connecticut Sun, 78-63, in the home opener of their 2023 WNBA Semifinals series.
It was a lopsided affair from the opening tip-off as the Liberty managed just 2 rebounds in the second half and zero fast-break points for the entire contest.
The Sun, led by a game-high 20 points from DeWanna Bonner and 10 assists from Alyssa Thomas, went on an 11-3 run from the 8:16 mark of the first to the 6:44 mark of the opening quarter and rarely lost the lead at Barclays on Sunday.
Jonquel Jones kept the game close, notching her 13th career playoff double-double and finishing with 14 points on 62.5% (5-8) shooting from the floor, including 100% (1-1) from three, a game-high 11 rebounds, and two blocks. She has recorded a double-double in each of the Liberty’s three games this postseason.
Jones’ 8 points in the first quarter helped keep the game close as NY shot 33% from the 3-point line and scored 14 points in the paint during the opening frame.
Still it wasn't enough. The Liberty lacked ball movement, registering just four assists in the opening quarter and trailed 25-21 going into the 2nd period. Breanna Stewart contributed by scoring 8 points and sending New York go on a 10-2 run from the 5:23 mark of the second through the end of the first half.
The Connecticut Sun led 40-37 going into intermission, although they shot just 25% from the 3-point line in the first half.
The 3rd period saw the Suns' DeWanna Bonner go a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw and hand out 3 assists as the Suns’ outscored the Liberty 28-15 highlighted by a 13-4 run from the 9:08 mark of the third to the 5:28 mark of the quarter. Betnijah Laney has an off night from the field, scoring just 3 points on 1-9 shooting and 0-3 from deep.
The game was put out of hand in the final frame when Connecticut went on an 18-7 run from the 2:34 mark of the third quarter to the 5:02 mark of the final quarter. The Liberty finished on 33.8% (23-68) shooting from the field, 29.6% (8-27) from three, and 75% (9-12) at the free throw line.
The contest marked the lowest-scoring playoff game of the postseason for the Liberty, who look to bounce back in game two against the Sun on Tuesday, September 26 at Barclays Center.
