{"id":7458,"date":"2023-10-01T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-01T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swishappeal.com\/wnba\/2023\/10\/1\/23897534\/wnba-game-4-semifinals-ny-liberty-con-sun-stewart-ionescu-laney-thomas-bonner-allen-offense-defense"},"modified":"2023-10-01T13:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-01T12:00:00","slug":"can-the-sun-contain-the-liberty-in-game-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamefootballmobileanimeiphone.com\/index.php\/2023\/10\/01\/can-the-sun-contain-the-liberty-in-game-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Can the Sun contain the Liberty in Game 4?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \"2023
The Sun\u2019s DeWanna Bonner defends the Liberty\u2019s Breanna Stewart. | Photo by David Dow\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With a 2-1 series lead, the No. 2 seed New York Liberty can return to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2002 with a Game 4 win. The No. 3 seed Connecticut Sun still stand in their way, intent upon forcing a Game 5.<\/p>\n

In Friday night\u2019s Game 3<\/a>, the No. 2 seed New York Liberty\u2019s offense came alive, finally looking the whirring machine it was for much of the second half of the 2023 WNBA<\/a> season. New York defeated the No. 3 seed Connecticut Sun 92-81<\/a> to take a 2-1 semifinals lead. <\/p>\n

With another offensive outburst in Sunday\u2019s Game 4 (3 p.m. ET, ABC), the Liberty likely are to earn their first trip to the WNBA Finals since 2002, setting up the much-anticipated superteam showdown against the awaiting No. 1 seed Las Vegas Aces. To extend the series to a Game 5, the Sun must find a way to contain and counter New York\u2019s offensive prowess. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s three things that will determine if the Sun force a Game 5 or if the Liberty will be Finals-bound:<\/p>\n

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Can the Sun defense again dictate the tempo?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n \"2023
\n Photo by David Dow\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/cite>
Alyssa Thomas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Through the first two games in New York, the Sun, even in their Game 2 defeat<\/a>, dictated the terms and tempo of the contests, using their athleticism, physicality and intensity on the defensive end to disrupt the Liberty\u2019s offensive flow. The ball did not ping around the half court and eventually land in the hands of an open 3-point shooter or streaking cutter. Instead, the New York offense often stagnated, resulting in tough isolation attempts by Breanna Stewart or Sabrina Ionescu, who were worn down by Connecticut\u2019s relentlessness. <\/p>\n

In Game 3, the Sun\u2019s defense was not dialed in, allowing the Liberty offense to pour in a playoff-record 37 first-quarter points<\/a>. Connecticut\u2019s lagging effort and inattention to detail frustrated Alyssa Thomas, who implored to her teammates, \u201cI need help. I am tired out here,\u201d during an early timeout. <\/p>\n

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Holly Rowe reports Alyssa Thomas was saying something like “I need help. I am tired out here,” here: pic.twitter.com\/LZdi1nxklu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) September 30, 2023<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n