GAME RECAP: Connecticut Drops Back-and-Forth Matchup with Atlanta, 78-74

Sun fall for third time in last four games.

Uncasville, CT (June 28, 2024)- Tonight, the Connecticut Sun (14-4) fell to the Atlanta Dream (7-9), 78-74, at Mohegan Sun Arena. The game was a back-and-forth affair that included 16 lead changes and 11 ties. The Sun entered the contest winning ten of the last 11 regular season matchups against the Dream, including the last three games dating back to the 2023 season. Connecticut is now 1-1 against Atlanta in 2024, with their next meeting coming on July 7.

DeWanna Bonner led the Sun in scoring, tallying 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in the effort. DiJonai Carrington added 15 points, four rebounds, one assist and a career-high tying three steals. She also nailed three triples on the night.

Alyssa Thomas rounded out Connecticut’s double-figure scorers with 15 points, along with a team-high seven rebounds and team-high eight assists in the game. All players who entered the game for the Sun scored, including Olivia Nelson-Ododa who notched seven points, two rebounds and one steal in 11 minutes off the bench.

The contest was tied 19-19 after one quarter of play, with Alyssa Thomas notching four rebounds and four assists through ten minutes of action. The Sun outscored the Dream by two, 14-12, in the second quarter to take a two-point edge, 33-31, into the locker room. Neither team enjoyed a lead larger than five through the first twenty minutes, as the half saw seven lead changes and six ties. Atlanta outscored Connecticut, 26-23, in the third to take a one-point lead into the fourth, 57-56. DiJonai led the Sun with seven points in the ten minutes out of the locker room. Connecticut was able to gain a four-point lead over Atlanta, 62-58, with seven minutes to play in the game, but Atlanta finished the contest outscoring Connecticut 20-12 the rest of the way to take the 78-74 win.

Allisha Gray led the Dream in scoring with 17 points, along with five rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Tina Charles added 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals.

Connecticut struggled from the floor in tonight’s loss, shooting just 39% (23-59), while Atlanta went 49.1% (28-57) from the floor. The Dream outscored the Sun in the paint (36-32) and from the bench (29-16), while the Sun held the advantage in second chance points (7-2) and on the fast break (9-8).

Notes:

• DeWanna Bonner moved into 7^th all-time in games played in WNBA history, tying Lindsey Whalen (480).
• Both teams struggled to take care of the ball, with the Sun turning it over 18 times and the Dream turning it over 19 times. Atlanta was able to capitalize more on turnovers however, scoring 17 points off Connecticut’s 18 mistakes, while Connecticut scored just 14 points of Atlanta’s miscues.
• The Sun’s 23 field goals and 26 rebounds mark new season-lows.
• Connecticut’s starters accounted for 17 of the team’s 18 turnovers.

NEXT GAME: The Connecticut Sun head out west to take on the Phoenix Mercury on Monday, July 1 at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT at the Footprint Center.