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.svg  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.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G 1 Flag of the United States.svg Banham, Rachel 5' 9" (1.75m)168 lb (76kg)07-15-1993 Minnesota 3
G 23 Flag of the United States.svg Clarendon, Layshia 5' 9" (1.75m)158 lb (72kg)05-02-1991 California 6
G 2 Flag of the United States.svg Hiedeman, Natisha 5' 7" (1.7m)125 lb (57kg)02-10-1997 Marquette R
G 32 Flag of the United States.svg Holmes, Bria 6' 1" (1.85m)170 lb (77kg)04-19-1994 West Virginia 2
F/C 35 Flag of the Bahamas.svg Jones, Jonquel 6' 6" (1.98m)190 lb (86kg)01-05-1994 George Washington 3
F 42 Flag of the United States.svg Jones, Brionna 6' 3" (1.91m)230 lb (104kg)12-18-1995 Maryland 2
F/C 55 Flag of the United States.svg Plaisance, Theresa 6' 5" (1.96m)200 lb (91kg)05-18-1992 LSU 5
G/F 40 Flag of the United States.svg Stricklen, Shekinna 6' 2" (1.88m)178 lb (81kg)07-30-1990 Tennessee 7
F 25 Flag of the United States.svg Thomas, Alyssa 6' 2" (1.88m)185 lb (84kg)04-12-1992 Maryland 5
G 5 Flag of the United States.svg Thomas, Jasmine 5' 9" (1.75m)145 lb (66kg)09-30-1989 Duke 8
F 33 Flag of the United States.svg Tuck, Morgan 6' 2" (1.88m)200 lb (91kg)04-30-1994 Connecticut 3
G 10 Flag of the United States.svg Williams, Courtney 5' 8" (1.73m)136 lb (62kg)05-11-1994 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
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (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-five
(Sept. 17 – Sept. 24)
WNBA Finals:
Best-of-five
(Sept. 29 – Oct. 10)
1 Washington Mystics 971037594
4 Las Vegas Aces 934 Las Vegas Aces 95919290
5 Chicago Sky 1055 Chicago Sky 921 Washington Mystics 9587948689
8 Phoenix Mercury 762 Connecticut Sun 8699819078
2 Connecticut Sun 849478
3 Los Angeles Sparks 923 Los Angeles Sparks 756856
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]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut Sun</span> WNBA franchise

The Connecticut Sun are an American professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut that competes in the Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jasmine Thomas (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Jasmine Thomas is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chelsea Gray</span> American basketball player (born 1992)

Chelsea Nichelle Gray is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was the eleventh pick in the 2014 WNBA draft. She missed the 2014 WNBA season due to injury, but she made her debut with the Sun in the 2015 WNBA season. Gray won her first title with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016. She won her second title with the Las Vegas Aces in the 2022 WNBA Finals, where she was named Finals MVP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aerial Powers</span> American basketball player

Aerial Powers is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball at Michigan State University. After a successful college career with the Spartans, Powers was drafted by the Dallas Wings with the fifth overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 WNBA All-Star Game</span>

The 2017 WNBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game played on July 22, 2017. The Seattle Storm hosted a WNBA All-Star Game for the first time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonquel Jones</span> Bahamian-Bosnian basketball player

Jonquel Orthea Jones is a Bahamian-Bosnian professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted with the 6th overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft. Since May 2019, she also holds the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, allowing her to play for the national team.

The 2017 WNBA season was the 19th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the WNBA. It was the 15th season for the franchise in Connecticut. The season tipped off on May 13. The Sun started the season slowly, posting a 1–5 record in May. However, they quickly turned this around going a combined 13–4 in June and July. A 7–2 record in August saw the Sun near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The Sun finished in second place in the East, just one game back of the New York Liberty after going 0–2 in their final games in September. The Sun earned the 4th seed in the WNBA Playoffs, and a bye into the second round. In the Second Round, they lost to the Phoenix Mercury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 WNBA season</span> Sports season

The 2019 WNBA season was the 23rd season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Seattle Storm were the defending champions. The regular season began on May 24, with the Atlanta Dream hosting the Dallas Wings and the New York Liberty hosting the Indiana Fever. The season ended with the Washington Mystics securing their first WNBA Title over the Connecticut Sun three games to two, in a closely contested finals. Emma Meesseman was named Finals MVP and teammate Elena Delle Donne was named regular season MVP.

The 2019 Chicago Sky season was the franchise's 14th season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The regular season tipped off on May 25 and concluded on September 8. On August 22, the team clinched a playoff berth for the first time in three seasons.

The 2019 WNBA season was the 22nd for the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Mystics winning their first WNBA Championship.

The 2019 WNBA season was the 23rd season for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association.

The 2019 WNBA season was the 23rd season for the Phoenix Mercury franchise of the WNBA. The season tipped off on May 25, 2019 versus the Seattle Storm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Seattle Storm season</span>

The 2019 WNBA season was the 20th season for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on May 25 with a game against the Phoenix Mercury.

The 2019 WNBA Playoffs were the postseason tournament of the WNBA's 2019 season. The Washington Mystics won the team's first WNBA title in their 22 year franchise history.

The 2019 WNBA Finals, officially WNBA Finals 2019 presented by YouTube TV for sponsorship reasons, was the best-of-five championship series for the 2019 season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Finals featured the top seeded Washington Mystics facing off against the second seed Connecticut Sun. The Washington Mystics defeated the Connecticut Sun through five turbulent games, with the Mystics winning the odd-numbered games and the Sun emerging victorious through the even-numbered games, exploiting a temporary absence of Elena Delle Donne and drawing upon unrelenting resolve to keep the series going, to make their bid for a championship that ultimately failed after the Mystics resurged in Game 5's final quarter. This was the first-ever Finals win for the Washington Mystics, as well as the Connecticut Sun's third Finals appearance.

The 2020 WNBA season was the 22nd season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It will also be the 18th season for the franchise in Connecticut. The season tipped off on July 26, 2020, versus the Minnesota Lynx.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 WNBA season</span> Sports season

The 2021 WNBA season was the 25th season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Seattle Storm were the defending champions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams played a 32-game season that included mini two-game series to reduce travel. The regular season ran from May 14 to September 19, with a break from July 12 to August 11 for the Olympic Games.

The 2021 WNBA season was the 23rd season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It was also the 19th season for the franchise in Connecticut. The season began on May 14, 2021, at the Atlanta Dream.

The 2021 WNBA season was the 24th season for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season tipped off on May 14, 2021, at the Minnesota Lynx.

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.