Connecticut Sun post important win over NY Liberty

Given the current WNBA standings, the Connecticut Sun knows that the road to a championship likely goes through New York and the Liberty. That's been a problem for the Sun to date, but last night, they were able to solve the Liberty and post a 72-64 win at the Barclay Center in New York.

What was particularly impressive about the win was the way they held off several Liberty charges in the second half, especially given that the Sun was just 2 for 13 from beyond the arc. This was a defensive battle where neither team shot especially well, but when the Liberty chose to dribble out the clock with time for at least one more possession, it was a clear surrender signal that indicated they knew it just wasn't their night.

Photo byMarkus SpiskeonUnsplash

Sun spread out the point production

Five players scored in double figures for the Sun, with new acquisition Marina Mabrey once again showing she'll be a key figure in Connecticut's late season run by leading the Sun with 15 points. Mabrey was acquitted from Phoenix just before the Olympic break, and Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu lauded the newest Sun helps space the floor for Connecticut.

"You can't help off of her," Ionescu noted. "It provides a different layer for how you come out and defend them."

Mabrey's mates helped her out across the board, with DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones, DiJonai Carrington, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa joining her in the double-figure parade. Bonner did most of the dirty work inside, grabbing 12 boards to go with her 10 points, and Nelson-Ododa chipped in with a couple of blocks.

But Bonner and Nelson-Ododa weren't the only ones doing work on the defensive end. Turnovers were another important key to the game, as the Sun forced the Liberty to commit 18 while Connecticut had just 9.

Ionescu struggles for the Liberty

Connecticut's defense was especially frustrating for Ionescu, who was just 3 for 13 on the night, including a grim 2 for 12 effort from beyond the arc. Ionescu drew a technical late when she was bumped hard coming off a screen and drew a foul, which also drew her ire as she began to show her frustration.

Shooting-wise, it was that kind of night for the Liberty. Connecticut pressured the ball constantly, and New York was never able to find any kind of shooting rhythm as a result. Breanna Stewart tried to pick up the slack with 15 points on 7 for 15 shooting, but her late mishandling of a pass for a corner three was a key turnover that helped clinch the game for the Sun.

The Liberty had their eight-game winning streak snapped, so they'll be looking to rebound on Monday night when they hit the road for the first game of their West Coast swing against the Mercury. That trip will also include tilts against the Sparks and the Storm as the WNBA season heads down the stretch.

How this game affects the playoff race

The Sun closed to within 2.5 games of the Liberty with the victory, and they're just 2 back in the loss column. They'll continue their important road trip with a marquee game against Caitlin Clark and the Fever on Wednesday, then a Saturday date with the Mystics in DC.

Playoff issues aside, though, the importance of this game was that it reestablished Connecticut's ability to beat New York after three straight losses earlier in the season. The fact that they did it on the road in a feisty, physical game makes it that much more impressive, and for fans, it whets their appetite for more if these two teams do end up battling in the WNBA Finals.

Article originally written by Bob McCullough