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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, front right,is defended by Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner, left, during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, Sept 24, 2023, in New York (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
If you need yet another example of how the playoffs are a completely different kind of animal, look no further than Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals between the New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun.
After being swept by the Liberty in four regular-season meetings, losing by an average of 15 points per game, the Sun punched the Liberty in the mouth in its semifinal opener, defeating the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 team 78-63 on Sunday afternoon at Barclays Center thanks to a massive 16-2 run to start the second half.
“It’s 0-0 when it comes to playoffs and we didn’t even think about the regular season,” Sun forward DeWanna Bonner said. “It’s a new season, that’s what we felt like. One thing about us, we don’t step outside of ourselves… we bring the same intensity.”
Bonner recorded a game-high 20 points while former Liberty guard Rebecca Allen went off for 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range while shutting down New York star Sabrina Ionescu, who was held to just 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Allen said. “It’s my first semifinal and to be playing my old team, there are a lot of things that are quite special to me.”
She wasn’t the only New Yorker to struggle. Breanna Stewart went 0-of-8 from three-point range while mustering 19 points.
Jonquel Jones, who was supposed to expose the Liberty’s biggest advantage over the Sun down low, was held to 14 points with 11 rebounds. Despite being undersized, Connecticut outrebounded the New York 35-30.
“[Jones] is a beast. She’s a monster on the boards,” Bonner said. “We know exactly what she’s…
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