2019 Connecticut Sun season

Last updated

2019 Connecticut Sun season
Coach Curt Miller
Arena Mohegan Sun Arena
Attendance6,841 per game
Results
Record2311 (.676)
Place2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finish2nd seed; lost in WNBA Finals to Washington Mystics 2-3
Team Leaders
Points Jonquel Jones – 14.6 ppg
Rebounds Jonquel Jones – 9.7 rpg
Assists Jasmine Thomas – 5.1 apg
Media
Television NESN

The 2019 WNBA season was the 21st season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the WNBA. It was also the 17th season for the franchise in Connecticut. The team opened the season on May 25 versus the Washington Mystics. [1]

Contents

The Sun started the season well, posting a 9–4 record through the end of June. They were especially strong at home, going 6–0 over the first two months of the season. The end of June into the beginning of July proved to be a rough patch for the team. They lost five straight games from June 23 to July 10. This stretch included one of only two home losses on the season. After this losing streak, the Sun went on a seven game winning streak that lasted from July 12 to August 4. The Sun's final record in July was 5–2. The Sun didn't lose in August and posted an 8–3 record. The Sun's other home loss came on September 6 as the team closed out the season 1–2 in September. The Sun clinched a playoff berth on August 18, and their final 23–11 record earned them the second seed in the playoffs.

As the second seed, the Sun earned a bye through to the Semifinals. There, they met the #3 seed Los Angeles Sparks. The Sun proved to be too much for the Sparks, sweeping them three games to none. They advanced to the finals where they faced off against the #1 seed Washington Mystics. In a tightly contested finals, the Sun ultimately came up short, losing two games to three.

Transactions

WNBA draft

The Sun made the following selections in the 2019 WNBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/Team/Country
19 Kristine Anigwe Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States California
221 Bridget Carleton Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Iowa State
333 Regan Magarity Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Virginia Tech

Trades/Roster Changes

DateDetails
February 7, 2019Re-signed G Jasmine Thomas [2] [3]
February 27, 2019Signed F Ariel Edwards to Training Camp Contract [4]
March 22, 2019Signed G Brianna Kiesel to Training Camp Contract [5]
April 10, 2019Traded G Lexie Brown to Minnesota in exchange for G Natisha Hiedeman. [6]
April 11, 2019Signed F Emma Cannon to Training Camp Contract [7]
April 27, 2019Traded F Chiney Ogwumike to Sparks in exchange for the Spark's first round pick in the 2020 WNBA draft [8]
May 7, 2019Waived F Ariel Edwards and G Brianna Kiesel [9]
August 6, 2019Traded C/F Kristine Anigwe to Dallas Wings for C/F Theresa Plaisance [10]

Roster

2019 Connecticut Sun roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G 1 Flag of the United States.svg Banham, Rachel 5' 9" (1.75m)168 lb (76kg)1993-07-15 Minnesota 3
G 23 Flag of the United States.svg Clarendon, Layshia 5' 9" (1.75m)158 lb (72kg)1991-05-02 California 6
G 2 Flag of the United States.svg Hiedeman, Natisha 5' 7" (1.7m)125 lb (57kg)1997-02-10 Marquette R
G 32 Flag of the United States.svg Holmes, Bria 6' 1" (1.85m)170 lb (77kg)1994-04-19 West Virginia 2
F/C 35 Flag of the Bahamas.svg Jones, Jonquel 6' 6" (1.98m)190 lb (86kg)1994-01-05 George Washington 3
F 42 Flag of the United States.svg Jones, Brionna 6' 3" (1.91m)230 lb (104kg)1995-12-18 Maryland 2
F/C 55 Flag of the United States.svg Plaisance, Theresa 6' 5" (1.96m)200 lb (91kg)1992-05-18 LSU 5
G/F 40 Flag of the United States.svg Stricklen, Shekinna 6' 2" (1.88m)178 lb (81kg)1990-07-30 Tennessee 7
F 25 Flag of the United States.svg Thomas, Alyssa 6' 2" (1.88m)185 lb (84kg)1992-04-12 Maryland 5
G 5 Flag of the United States.svg Thomas, Jasmine 5' 9" (1.75m)145 lb (66kg)1989-09-30 Duke 8
F 33 Flag of the United States.svg Tuck, Morgan 6' 2" (1.88m)200 lb (91kg)1994-04-30 Connecticut 3
G 10 Flag of the United States.svg Williams, Courtney 5' 8" (1.73m)136 lb (62kg)1994-05-11 South Florida 3
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg Curt Miller (Baldwin Wallace)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Brandi Poole
Flag of the United States.svg Chris Koclanes

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Game log

Preseason

2019 pre-season game log
May: 2–1 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 13 New York Liberty W 100–66 J. Jones (19) J. Thomas (7) Williams (7) Mohegan Sun Arena
3,806
1–0
2May 14 Dallas Wings L 67–71 Holmes (14) J. Jones (14) Stricklen (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
3,965
1–1
3May 19vs. New York Liberty W 98–79 J. Jones (21) Williams (5) Williams (5) Times Union Center 2–1
2019 pre-season schedule

Regular season

2019 game log
Total: 23–11 (Home: 15–2; Road: 8–9)
May: 2–1 (Home: 2–0; Road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 25 Washington Mystics W 84–69 A. Thomas (23) J. Jones (14) J. Thomas (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,913
1–0
2May 28 Indiana Fever W 88–77 J. Jones (25) A. Thomas (10) J. Thomas (7) Mohegan Sun Arena
4,781
2–0
3May 31@ Los Angeles Sparks L 70–77 J. Jones (16) J. Jones (22) Clarendon (3) Staples Center
12,334
2–1
June : 7–3 (Home: 4–0; Road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
4June 2@ Las Vegas Aces W 80–74 Williams (19) J. Jones (13)Tied (5) Mandalay Bay Events Center
2,747
3–1
5June 6 Los Angeles Sparks W 89–77 J. Jones (18) A. Thomas (12) A. Thomas (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
5,496
4–1
6June 9@ Atlanta Dream W 65–59 J. Jones (17) J. Jones (13) J. Thomas (6) State Farm Arena
3,082
5–1
7June 11 Washington Mystics W 83–75 J. Jones (24) A. Thomas (12) J. Thomas (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
5,224
6–1
8June 14@ Minnesota Lynx W 85–81 3 tied (16) J. Jones (12) Williams (6) Target Center
8,803
7–1
9June 16 Seattle Storm W 81–67 A. Thomas (20) J. Jones (11) J. Jones (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,773
8–1
10June 21 Atlanta Dream W 86–76 Stricklen (24) J. Jones (8) J. Thomas (9) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,608
9–1
11June 23@ Chicago Sky L 75–93 A. Thomas (13) J. Jones (10) J. Thomas (7) Wintrust Arena
5,607
9–2
12June 26@ Dallas Wings L 73–74 A. Thomas (28) Williams (7) J. Thomas (11) College Park Center
4,017
9–3
13June 29@ Washington Mystics L 59–102 J. Jones (15) J. Jones (7) J. Thomas (5) St. Elizabeth's East Arena
4,200
9–4
July : 5–2 (Home: 4–1; Road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
14July 6 Minnesota Lynx L 71–74 J. Thomas (16)Tied (9) J. Thomas (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,076
9–5
15July 10@ Atlanta Dream L 75–78 Williams (13)Tied (9)6 tied (2) State Farm Arena
3,866
9–6
16July 12 Phoenix Mercury W 79–64 A. Thomas (20) J. Jones (11) J. Thomas (8) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,864
10–6
17July 14@ Indiana Fever W 76–63 J. Jones (26) J. Jones (8) J. Thomas (6) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
6,434
11–6
18July 19 Atlanta Dream W 98–69 Holmes (17) J. Jones (9) Williams (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,733
12–6
19July 24 New York Liberty W 70–63 J. Thomas (18) A. Thomas (12) J. Thomas (7) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,249
13–6
20July 30 Chicago Sky W 100–94 J. Jones (27) J. Jones (11) J. Thomas (8) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,358
14–6
August : 8–3 (Home: 4–0; Road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
21August 1 Phoenix Mercury W 68–62 J. Jones (15) J. Jones (14) Williams (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,014
15–6
22August 4@ New York Liberty W 94–79 Williams (28) J. Jones (10) Williams (6) Westchester County Center
1,927
16–6
23August 9@ Minnesota Lynx L 57–89 Holmes (10) A. Thomas (7)3 tied (2) Target Center
8,892
16–7
24August 11@ Las Vegas Aces L 81–89 Williams (13) J. Jones (12)Tied (4) Mandalay Bay Events Center
4,633
16–8
25August 14@ Phoenix Mercury W 78–71 J. Thomas (18) J. Jones (14)Tied (4) Talking Stick Resort Arena
8,734
17–8
26August 16 Seattle Storm W 79–78 Stricklen (24) A. Thomas (11) J. Thomas (7) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,092
18–8
27August 18 Dallas Wings W 78–68 Williams (18) J. Jones (10) J. Thomas (9) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,275
19–8
28August 23 Las Vegas Aces W 89–85 A. Thomas (27) A. Thomas (12) J. Thomas (8) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,483
20–8
29August 25@ Los Angeles Sparks L 72–84 Williams (18) J. Jones (12)Tied (5) Staples Center
17,076
20–9
30August 27@ Seattle Storm W 89–70 A. Thomas (22) A. Thomas (11)Tied (4) Alaska Airlines Arena
6,258
21–9
31August 30@ New York Liberty W 94–84 Williams (26) A. Thomas (9) J. Thomas (7) Westchester County Center
1,791
22–9
September : 1–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
32September 4 Dallas Wings W 102–72 J. Jones (22) Williams (8) Hiedeman (9) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,284
23-9
33September 6 Chicago Sky L 104–109 Williams (25)Tied (9) Williams (9) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,077
23–10
34September 8@ Indiana Fever L 76–104 B. Jones (14) B. Jones (10) Williams (4) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
5,451
23–11
2019 season schedule

Playoffs

2019 playoff game log
Total: 5–3 (Home: 3–1; Road: 2–2)
Semifinals: 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 17 Los Angeles Sparks W 84–75 A. Thomas (22) A. Thomas (10) J. Thomas (8) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,102
1–0
2September 19 Los Angeles Sparks W 94–68 J. Jones (27)Tied (13) J. Thomas (7) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,051
2–0
3September 22@ Los Angeles Sparks W 78–56 J. Thomas (29) Williams (13) A. Thomas (6) Walter Pyramid
4,000
3–0
WNBA Finals: 2–3 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 29@ Washington Mystics L 86–95 Williams (26)Tied (6) A. Thomas (6) St. Elizabeth's East Arena
4,200
0–1
2October 1@ Washington Mystics W 99–87 J. Jones (32) J. Jones (18)Tied (6) St. Elizabeth's East Arena
4,200
1–1
3October 6 Washington Mystics L 81–94 Tied (16) J. Jones (9) A. Thomas (9) Mohegan Sun Arena
9,170
1–2
4October 8 Washington Mystics W 90–86 J. Jones (18) J. Jones (13) A. Thomas (11) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,458
2–2
5October 10@ Washington Mystics L 78–89 J. Jones (25) A. Thomas (12)Tied (6) St. Elizabeth's East Arena
4,200
2–3
2019 playoff schedule

Standings

# Eastern Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
1 Washington Mystics (1)268.76514–312–513–3
2 Connecticut Sun (2)2311.676315–28–911–5
3 Chicago Sky (5)2014.588612–58–911–5
4e Indiana Fever 1321.382137–106–117–9
5e New York Liberty 1024.294164–136–113–13
6e Atlanta Dream 826.235185–123–143–13

Playoffs

First round
Single elimination
(Sept. 11)
Second round
Single elimination
(Sept. 15)
Semifinals
Best-of-5
(Sept. 17 – 24)
WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
(Sept. 29 – Oct. 10)
1 Washington Mystics 3
4 Las Vegas Aces 934 Las Vegas Aces 1
5 Chicago Sky 1055 Chicago Sky 921 Washington Mystics 3
8 Phoenix Mercury 762 Connecticut Sun 2
2 Connecticut Sun 3
3 Los Angeles Sparks 923 Los Angeles Sparks 0
6 Seattle Storm 846 Seattle Storm 69
7 Minnesota Lynx 74

Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

Statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage TO  Turnovers per game
 PF  Fouls per gameTeam leaderLeague leader

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Jonquel Jones 343428.844.830.981.89.71.51.32.014.6
Courtney Williams 343429.143.545.780.05.63.81.40.413.2
Alyssa Thomas 343430.250.5049.67.83.11.90.411.6
Jasmine Thomas 343429.739.236.680.02.95.11.40.111.1
Shekinna Stricklen 343423.740.838.281.51.91.11.00.29.0
Bria Holmes 34015.639.931.767.21.40.90.50.26.3
Layshia Clarendon 9015.341.910085.72.42.10.306.2
Morgan Tuck 33010.738.835.760.02.00.80.40.13.7
Natisha Hiedeman 20010.341.446.450.01.51.90.40.13.7
Rachel Banham 29012.232.230.669.21.00.90.30.13.6
Brionna Jones 2708.446.7066.72.20.30.30.33.5
Theresa Plaisance 907.134.833.31001.800.30.22.4

Awards and honors

RecipientAwardDate awardedRef.
Jonquel Jones WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week June 3, 2019 [11]
June 10, 2019 [12]
June 17, 2019 [13]
July 15, 2019 [14]
Alyssa Thomas WNBA All-Star Selection July 15, 2019 [15]
Jonquel Jones
Courtney Williams WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week September 3, 2019 [16]
Jonquel Jones Peak Performer: Rebounds September 9, 2019 [17]

References

  1. "2019 Connecticut Sun Schedule". Women's National Basketball Association. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  2. "Sun Re-Sign Jasmine Thomas". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  3. Griffen, Ned (February 7, 2019). "Jasmine Thomas re-signs with Sun". theday.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  4. "Sun Sign Ariel Edwards". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  5. "Sun Sign Brianna Kiesel". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  6. "WNBA Draft: Lynx bring in Shepard, Dillard, Bell, trade for Brown". FOX Sports. April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  7. "Sun Sign Emma Cannon". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  8. "Sparks Acquire 2014 No. 1 Overall Pick Chiney Ogwumike". wnba.com. WNBA. April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  9. "Sun Waive Kiesel And Edwards". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  10. "Wings Acquire Kristine Anigwe from Sun for Theresa Plaisance". wnba.com. WNBA. August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  11. "Jonquel Jones, Natasha Howard Named WNBA Players of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 3, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  12. "Jonquel Jones, DeWanna Bonner Player Of The Week Highlights". wnba.com. WNBA. June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  13. "Jonquel Jones, Natasha Howard Win Player of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  14. @WNBA (July 15, 2019). "🗣️ Congrats to Jonquel Jones and @Nnemkadi30 for earning this week's #PlayeroftheWeek 👏" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  15. "Seven-Time Selection Charles, Dupree, Highlight Reserves For All-Star". wnba.com. WNBA. July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  16. "Connecticut's Williams, Phoenix's Griner Win Players of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  17. "Phoenix's Griner, Connecticut's Jones and Chicago's Vandersloot Earn 2019 WNBA Peak Performer Awards". wnba.com. WNBA. September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.