Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner celebrates after her team defeated the Los Angeles Sparks during a WNBA playoff basketball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - DeWanna Bonner scored 17 points with 13 rebounds and the seventh-seeded Connecticut Sun eliminated the third-seeded Los Angeles Sparks 73-59 on Thursday night.
The Sun, who swept the Sparks in the semifinals last year, take on top-seeded Las Vegas in a best-of-5 semis beginning Sunday.
Alyssa Thomas added 19 points to lead five Sun players in double figures.
'œWe're really excited, 7-3 in the last two years in the playoffs,'ť Connecticut coach Curt Miller said. 'œPretty good 10 game stretch.'ť
The Sun jumped out to a 22-8 lead and led from there after the Sparks shot just 21% in the opening quarter. The Sparks rallied within six before Connecticut finished the second quarter on a 10-0 run. It would have been 12 straight points except Bonner's layup settled on the back of rim and remained there as the teams headed off the floor.
Briann January hit a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to give the Sun their largest lead of 20.
Candace Parker had 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Sparks, who were without third-leading scorer Nneka Ogwumike, sidelined with a migraine.
'œNneka does a lot for us as a team on both ends of the court,'ť Los Angeles coach Derek Fisher said. 'œ(We missed) her efficiency offensively on a night when it was difficult to find some rhythm on that end of the floor. She's a really good defender and rebounder, Most importantly her presence from a leadership stand point helps our team to stay centered some times.'ť
Star guard Chelsea Gray was held to just four points and didn't have an assist for the first time since their loss to Minnesota in the last game of the WNBA Finals in 2016.
The Sparks came into the game as the league's top 3-point shooting team at just under 40% but made only 2 of 18 against the Sun, missing their first 12. The 59 points were the fewest this season for Los Angeles.
The Sun, swept by the Sparks during the regular season, scrambled to reach the playoffs after losing their first five games. They beat Chicago by 14 in their first-round game.
Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) gets fouled by Los Angeles Sparks guard Brittney Sykes (15) during the second half of a WNBA playoff basketball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) gets fouled by Los Angeles Sparks guard Brittney Sykes (15) during the second half of a WNBA playoff basketball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones (42) pulls down a rebound against the Los Angeles Sparks during the second half of a WNBA playoff basketball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker (3) reacts after getting called for a foul during the second half of a WNBA playoff basketball game against the Connecticut Sun Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) puts up a shot over Los Angeles Sparks guard Brittney Sykes (15) during the second half of a WNBA playoff basketball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Los Angeles Sparks center Kristine Anigwe (31) and Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones (42, right) battle for the ball during the second half of a WNBA playoff basketball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) and center Brionna Jones (42) celebrate a basket against the Los Angeles Sparks during the second half of a WNBA playoff basketball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives against Los Angeles Sparks guard Seimone Augustus (33) during the second half of a WNBA playoff basketball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press
Los Angeles Sparks head coach Derek Fisher talks to guard Brittney Sykes (15) and forward Candace Parker (3) during the second half of a WNBA playoff basketball game against the Connecticut Sun Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Associated Press