UNCASVILLE, Conn. — It still wasn’t the version of Breanna Stewart that broke the WNBA record with four 40-point games this season.
That might not happen this series with Alyssa Thomas shadowing her.
But in the Liberty’s 92-81 victory over the Sun in Game 3 at Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday, there were signs the Liberty star had inched closer to that point.
She spun around Thomas for a layup in their 37-point first quarter.
She fought through a foul from Thomas to still sink a shot — as well as the free throw — in the fourth quarter.
Stewart (25 points) topped 20 in a game for the first time in the semifinals, while adding 11 rebounds. She connected on 11 of 19 shots, though her three 3-point attempts were below her average.
“We know what she’s capable of making, but she was at her very best tonight, and that really got us off to a great start.” Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said. “She’s the MVP. The MVP’s not going to miss too many shots.”
For most of the series, Thomas, along with the other Sun defenders, have found a way to contain Stewart — who narrowly won the MVP award over Thomas despite receiving three fewer first-place votes.
The key, Thomas said pregame, has revolved around following Stewart during her movement, preventing her from using space to either create open shots.
“I think when you look at the players in the league, they can’t pick her up at half-court like I can,” said Thomas, who had 23 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds. “She is who she is, and she’s going to make tough shots. My job is to make sure every shot is tough.”
Stewart said her understanding of the Sun’s defensive strategy can carry over from game to game, and between their four regular-season meetings and two previous postseason games, the sample size keeps increasing.
Mostly, she has tried to create scoring opportunities in transition, attempting to score before Connecticut could settle into half-court defense.
That happened late in the first quarter, when Stewart blocked a 3-pointer and raced up the court.
Betnijah Laney threaded a pass, and because Stewart beat everyone else, she had an open avenue for a layup.
“Even when she is missing in the last game, it’s not all about scoring for [Stewart],” Brondello said. “It’s how she impacts the game, the confidence she gives, the leadership, defense, the rebounding, all of it.”
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