Sun outwork Liberty in Game 1 of WNBA semifinals 78-63

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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.ย 

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 Conferenceโ€™s No. 1 team 78-63 on Sunday afternoon at Barclays Center thanks to a massive 16-2 run to start the second half.

โ€œItโ€™s 0-0 when it comes to playoffs and we didnโ€™t even think about the regular season,โ€ Sun forward DeWanna Bonner said. โ€œItโ€™s a new season, thatโ€™s what we felt like. One thing about us, we donโ€™t step outside of ourselvesโ€ฆ we bring the same intensity.โ€

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.

โ€œItโ€™s pretty awesome,โ€ Allen said. โ€œItโ€™s my first semifinal and to be playing my old team, there are a lot of things that are quite special to me.โ€

She wasnโ€™t the only New Yorker to struggle. Breanna Stewart went 0-of-8 from three-point range while mustering 19 points.ย 

Jonquel Jones, who was supposed to expose the Libertyโ€™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.

โ€œ[Jones] is a beast. Sheโ€™s a monster on the boards,โ€ Bonner said. โ€œWe know exactly what sheโ€™s…

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