Aces to face Sun in WNBA Finals after shocking Connecticut comeback
Charles Rex Arbogast / AP
Connecticut Sun's Odyssey Sims, left, celebrates with Courtney Williams after Williams scored during the second half against the Chicago Sky on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, in Chicago. The Sun won 72-63 and will play the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Finals, starting Sunday at Michelob Ultra Arena.
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 | 7:23 p.m.
In a shocking turn of events, the WNBA Finals will not feature the two teams with the best record. The Las Vegas Aces will face the Connecticut Sun in the finals, with Game 1 on Sunday (Noon, ABC) at Michelob Ultra Arena.
Connecticut, the No. 3 seed, eliminated the defending WNBA champion Chicago Sky in the deciding Game 5 on Thursday, winning 72-63. Chicago led 63-54 with 4:46 remaining, but the Sun ended on an 18-0 run.
The Sun, after being outscored 18-8 in the third, outscored the Sky 24-5 in the fourth quarter.
Las Vegas is playing in the finals for the second time in three years after knocking off the Seattle Storm in four games on Tuesday.
The Aces took two of three from the Sun during the season series with each game decided by eight points or less. Las Vegas and Connecticut split the back-to-back on the Strip on May 31 (Aces won 89-81) and June 2 (Sun won 97-90).
The Aces won 91-83 on July 17 in their lone trip to Mohegan Sun Arena.
Both teams are looking to win their first championships. The Sun are making their fourth trip to the finals and first since 2019.
WNBA Finals Schedule
Game 1: Sept. 11, Connecticut at Las Vegas (Noon, ABC)
Game 2: Sept. 13, Connecticut at Las Vegas (6 p.m., ESPN)
Game 3: Sept. 15, Las Vegas at Connecticut (6 p.m., ESPN)
*Game 4: Sept. 18, Las Vegas at Connecticut (1 p.m., ESPN)
*Game 5: Sept. 20, Connecticut at Las Vegas (6 p.m., ESPN)
*if necessary
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.