FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sun – Game 3 – 9/24/2020

https://franchisesportsmedia.com

#1 Las Vegas Aces (18-4)  |  #7 Connecticut Sun (10-12)

 

The Aces fall short in game 3, down in series 2-1

 

The Las Vegas Aces are now on the brink of elimination after a 77-68 loss to the Connecticut Sun in Game 3 of the WNBA semi-finals. Huge defensive plays late sealed the victory for the Sun after forward Alyssa Thomas dropped 23 points. 

In game 2, the Aces forced 17 turnovers to lead them to a victory. In game 3, they did the opposite and committed 15 turnovers that ultimately changed the game.

 

 

 

The Aces commit costly turnovers late that lead to defeat

 

Since the beginning of game two, each minute of this series has been back and forth, which continued into game 3. It was a 1 point lead for the Sun at the end of the first quarter. Connecticut went on the only big run of the first half when they closed the first on a 12 to 4 run led by Alyssa Thomas. Thomas, who got injured at the beginning of game two and didn’t even know if she would play this game, led her team with 13 points in the first half. 

A’ja Wilson carried the Aces in the first half with 14 points and seven rebounds. Las Vegas also hit two three-pointers in the first half, which is more than they have made all series. They shot 35 percent from three, hitting five three-pointers compared to Connecticut’s one.

Ball movement was key to the Aces game as they had 23 assists on 26 field goals made. Jackie Young led the way with seven assists off the bench as Dearica Hamby also contributed with five assists. It helped the Aces dominate the third quarter outscoring the Sun 24 to 15.

The 4th quarter was a completely different story as Las Vegas had a 7 point lead with 5:30 left in the game. Connecticut countered that with a 20 to 4 run to close out game 3. It was a full team effort from the Sun as they had four players in double-digits scoring. Alyssa Thomas was the star with 23 while DeWanna Bonner had 12, Jasmine Thomas had 10, and Brionna Jones had 15 to go along with ten rebounds. 

With 1:30 left to go in the game and the Aces down 3, Las Vegas went on to turn the ball over on four straight possessions leading to 6 points.

 

 

It was a disappointing end to game 3, however, the Aces are still in the series.

 

 

The Aces were still in the game with 2 minutes to go despite turning the ball over 11 more times than the Sun. It wasn’t a terrible game played by the Aces more so than just a rough last few minutes. The Aces shot the three-ball better than they have in a long time and outscored the Sun bench 17 to 9 thanks to Jackie Young and Dearica Hamby.

The Aces are now on thin ice as they must win their next two games to move on. They know they can do it, but it won’t be easy as the Connecticut Sun are one win away from a trip to the WNBA Finals.

The Seattle Storm defeated the Minnesota Lynx by a score of 89 to 79 to take a 2-0 series lead in the other WNBA semi-finals matchup.

 

 

 

WNBA Semi-finals series schedule (All times PT)

 

• Game 1 – Aces 62 – Sun 87

• Game 2 – Aces 83 – Sun 75

• Game 3 – Aces 68 – Sun 77

• Game 4* – Sunday, September 27th, 10:00 a.m. – ESPN

• Game 5*- Tuesday, September 29th, TBD – ESPN2

* If required

 

Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun      Aces vs Sun     

-Jarret Thompson – Franchise Sports Media 

Follow The Franchise on social media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube