The Connecticut Sun won Game 1 in dominant fashion after beating the Dallas Wings, 93-68. The Sun was led by Jonquel Jones (19 points and eight rebounds) and Alyssa Thomas (15 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists).
Allisha Gray led the Wings with 17 points and five rebounds, followed by a 13-point, five rebounds, and three assists outing from Tyasha Harris. Marina Mabrey contributed 11 points, and four rebounds, and Satou Sabally rounded out Dallas’ double-digit scorers with 10 points, two rebounds, and two dimes in 15 minutes of action.
SUN TAKE GAME 1 ☀️☀️☀️
— WSLAM (@wslam) August 19, 2022
Created to create separation in the third quarter after going on a 13-0 run that helped build a 20-point cushion in the third seed’s favor. The Suns kept the Wings scoreless for over five minutes, leading to the Sun closing out the third quarter with a 17-5 run that gave them an 18-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
After the tough Game 1 loss, Coach Vickie Johnson told assembled reporters that she didn’t “recognize” who the Dallas Wings were on the hardwood and noted that some players were noticeably “complaining” and “not taking accountability.”
“The first thing I told my team is ‘I didn’t recognize my team tonight.'” Johnson said. “If we can think we can do it individually and beat Connecticut, it’s not gonna happen.”
Vickie Johnson: "The first thing I told my team is 'I didn't recognize my team tonight.'"
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) August 19, 2022
Said players were "complaining," "not taking accountability."
"If we can think we can do it individually and beat Connecticut, it's not gonna happen."
Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas’ leading scorer, is still not healthy enough to play due to an abdominal injury she aggravated during the final days of the regular-season.
It’s really that simple for DB 🤷🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/do0bk85mpV
— WSLAM (@wslam) August 19, 2022
The Wings will look to tie the series up with a Game 2 win over the Sun on Sunday.
