With the team facing elimination, All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas wasn't going to let anything stop her from leading the Connecticut Sun to a series-extending win as she did a little bit of everything to lead thm to a 90-86 win over Washington Mystics in Game 4 of the 2019 WNBA Finals to force a decisive Game 5.
Playing through a torn labrum in each shoulder, the sixth-year pro played in all 40 minutes for the third time this series, finishing with a stat line of 17 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds and a steal. Thomas' 11 assists are a WNBA Finals Record.
.@athomas_25 dished out a #WNBAFinals record 11 assists tonight in the @ConnecticutSun W! 😤#WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/UZvDQ7Mj6F
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2019
Through four games, Thomas has sat for just 29 seconds, which came at the end of Game 3.
Each of the Sun's five starters finished in double figures, scoring 80 of the teams 90 points in the win. Centre Jonquel Jones scored a game-high 18 points to go along with 13 rebounds and 3 steals. Courtney Williams (16 points), Shekinna Stricklen (15 points) and Jasmine Thomas (14 points) helped carry the offensive load.
Connecticut got out to a hot start, leading 32-17 before taking a 16-point lead into the half. That lead evaporated in the second half as the Mystics outscored the Sun 28-12 in the third quarter to tie things up heading into the final frame.
Things came down to the wire and the Mystics led by as many as five points in a fourth quarter that had four ties and two lead changes. A 3-pointer from Stricklen with 2:23 remaining in the game would break the final tie and put the Sun up for good.
Did you miss the final minutes of that THRILLER between the @ConnecticutSun and @WashMystics?
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2019
Don't worry, we got you. 👀⬇️ #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/u2fUqIvYGv
Washington was led by 15 points (on 5-9 shooting) off the bench from Aerial Powers. 2019 league MVP Elena Delle Donne, who continues to play through a back injury, finished with 11 points and 5 rebounds in 30 minutes of action.
The series shifts back to D.C. for a winner-takes-all Game 5 on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET. On the line for each team is the first title in franchise history.
