AP

Connecticut secures No. 3 seed in WNBA playoffs

Aug 11, 2022, 9:41 AM | Updated: 9:47 pm

Connecticut Sun guard Courtney Williams, left, tries to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles ...

Connecticut Sun guard Courtney Williams, left, tries to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Sparks forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa, center, and guard Brittney Sykes during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)


              Los Angeles Sparks forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa, right, shoots as Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Sparks forward Katie Lou Samuelson, right drives pas Connecticut Sun guard Courtney Williams during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner, right, tries to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, right, tries to shoot as Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Sparks forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa, left, shoots as Connecticut Sun guard Courtney Williams defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, left, and Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones go after a rebound during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, left, grabs rebound away from Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, left, and Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones go after a rebound during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
            
              Connecticut Sun guard Courtney Williams, left, tries to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Sparks forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa, center, and guard Brittney Sykes during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alyssa Thomas had 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Jonquel Jones had 17 points and eight rebounds and the Connecticut Sun beat the Los Angeles Sparks 93-69 on Thursday night.

Connecticut (24-11) clinched the No. 3 seed in the WNBA playoffs, with Las Vegas (25-10) and Chicago (25-10) both holding tiebreakers over the Sun. Los Angeles (13-22) was eliminated from playoff contention.

Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones each scored in double figures in the first half, combining for 38 points to help Connecticut lead 54-43.

Brionna Jones finished with 16 points and Bonner had 13 points and seven assists for Connecticut. Jonquel Jones recorded her 268th career block for Connecticut, passing Taj McWilliams-Franklin for the most in franchise history.

Brittney Sykes scored 18 points and Nneka Ogwumike had 10 points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles.

___

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