Uncasville, CT: The Connecticut Sun (17-5) host the Phoenix Mercury (12-11) in the Sun’s final home game prior to the Olympic break on Sunday, July 14 at 1:00 PM ET at Mohegan Sun Arena. Connecticut currently leads the season series, 2-0, picking up their most recent win on July 1, 83-72, in Phoenix. The game will air on ABC and stream live on the ESPN app.
Storylines:
Last Time Out:
Last time out on Wednesday afternoon, the Connecticut Sun fell to the New York Liberty for the second time this season, 71-68. DeWanna Bonner led the Sun in the effort, tallying her third straight 20+ point performance with 22 points, nine rebounds and three assists on the day. She made three of the Sun’s six three-point field goals and was also the only player to play all 40 minutes in the game. Brionna Jones added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Ty Harris notched 11 points and three assists.
League Stat Leaders:
As of games through 7/12, Alyssa Thomas is leading the league in assists per game (7.9) and is fifth in the league in rebounds per game (9.4). Thomas has dished-out 8+ assists in 10 games this season, good for first in the WNBA (tied with Caitlin Clark) and recorded nine double-doubles, good for 6th in the WNBA this year. Brionna Jones is fourth in the WNBA in field goal percentage (53.9%). She is also one of 11 players in the league this season to record at least 285 points, 110 rebounds, 35 assists and 25 steals thus far. The Sun’s defense is first in the league for points allowed (72.7), opponent field goals made (26.9), opponent three-pointers made (6.0) and opponent offensive rebounds (6.7) per game.
Vet Still Making History:
Other than Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi (548), no other active player has played more games in their WNBA careers than DeWanna Bonner (484). She currently sits sixth all-time in games played in league history and if she were to play in every regular season game for the rest of 2024, she will finish the year at third all-time (502). Bonner currently sits fifth all-time in scoring in WNBA history and is now 123 points from passing Tamika Catchings for fourth place. She also enters Sunday’s matchup two three-point field goals away from tying Catchings for 8th all-time in league history.
Opponent History:
Connecticut is 31-24 all-time against Phoenix during the regular season, including a 20-7 record at home. The Sun have won three straight regular season meetings and have not dropped a home game to the Mercury since September 9, 2020. Phoenix is coming off a 95-86 loss to the Indiana Fever on Friday night. Kahleah Copper led the Mercury in the effort with 36 points, while Sophie Cunningham added 21 points on the night. Head Nate Tibbets is in his first season with the Mercury.
Sun-Liberty Connections:
- Mercury guard Rebecca Allen played with the Connecticut Sun during the 2023 season.
- Sun guard-forward DeWanna Bonner was drafted No. 5 overall to the Phoenix Mercury in 2009 and played 10 seasons with the team, winning two WNBA Championships (2009, 2014).
- Sun assistant coach Briann January played for the Phoenix Mercury during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
- Mercury forward Liz Dixon played four games during the 2023 season for the Connecticut Sun on a roster hardship contract.
- Sun guard Moriah Jefferson played with the Mercury during the 2023 season.
- Sun guard Ty Harris and Mercury guard Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan were college teammates at the University of South Carolina.
- Sun forward Alyssa Thomas will suit up alongside the Mercury’s Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper on the U.S. Women’s National Team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.