WNBA FINALS: LAS VEGAS VS. CONNECTICUT

September 10, 2022

DeWanna Bonner

Connecticut Sun

Practice Day

Q. How has the energy been around the team so far? You mentioned to them to have fun, has this been what you envisioned?

DeWANNA BONNER: The energy is great – that is what we were missing the first couple games of the playoffs when we played Dallas. In the playoffs, sometimes you can get into that mindset and you can get too serious, but you also have to live in the moment. We’re a team that can do that, be serious and also have this energy here today.

Q. Is the mood different now than before the Semifinal series?

DeWANNA BONNER: For sure – totally different. I think we were overly focused, on not making mistakes, you can have a lot of pressure on your team, when it’s like ‘Connecticut had the most wins in playoffs history without a championship’ or ‘what happens if this team doesn’t win,’ you kind of have to forget about that stuff, play your game and live in the moment.

Q. The last series, you came back from a 2-1 deficit and in Game 5 with the 18-run to finish – do you think the team can bring that momentum into this series?

DeWANNA BONNER: That’s the plan, to bring that same confidence and that same energy. But at the same time, it’s a different series and a different team, you have to prepare totally differently than we did for Chicago. You don’t want to be too high after that win and think anything will be easy or smooth. We just need to stay level-headed, stay competent and stay having fun.

Q. For yourself personally, what are you focused on heading into this series and this Game 1 matchup?

DeWANNA BONNER: Just being aggressive, that’s what we have been doing all year offensively and defensively. If we do that on both sides of the ball, we give ourselves a chance. It’s a game of runs and we have to have poise. Anything can happen, especially in the playoffs. We have a great team, a team of veterans. Remaining poised will be the biggest thing for us.