GAME RECAP: Sun Win Final Commissioner’s Cup Contest of 2024, Defeat Sky, 83-75

Bonner, Jones and Thomas combine for 54 points for Connecticut.

Chicago, IL (June 12, 2024)- Tonight, the Connecticut Sun (11-1) defeated the Chicago Sky (4-7), 83-75, in their final Commissioner’s Cup match up of the season. The Sun also move to 2-0 against the Sky in 2024.

Alyssa Thomas led Connecticut in scoring, notching 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a season-high six steals in the win. Brionna Jones finished with 18 points, four rebounds and one steal, while DeWanna Bonner added 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal on the night for the Sun.

The Sun led 16-8 early, but the Sky ended the first quarter on a 14-4 run to take a two-point lead into the second. Connecticut began the second a 7-2 spurt to regain the lead, 27-24, with 7:19 to play in the first half. The Sun wouldn’t extend their lead larger than four in the quarter, as the Sky was able to cut it to two, 40-38, at the half. Brionna Jones led all scorers with 14 points at the break.

Connecticut began the third quarter the same way they began the second with a 7-2 run, pushing their lead up to seven, 47-40, and forcing Chicago into a timeout with 8:28 to play in the quarter. The Sky responded on a 7-2 spurt of their own to cut the lead back to two, 49-47, with 5:27 left in the third. Connecticut outscored Chicago, 11-8, the rest of the way to take a five-point advantage into the fourth 60-55. The Sun used an 8-0 run to begin the fourth quarter to extend their lead (largest of the game) to 13, 68-55, with 7:12 to play in the game. Chicago continued to battle, closing the gap to as close as four, 79-75, with 28.2 seconds left, but Connecticut went 4-4 from the free-throw line in the remaining moments to seal the 83-75 win.

Chicago was led by rookie forward Angel Reese who notched a career-high 20 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and two steals. Rookie center Kamilla Cardoso, Chennedy Carter and Marina Mabrey each tallied 10 points for the Sky.

Both teams finished with 28 made field goals in the game. The Sun shot 45.2% (28-62), while the Sky shot 48.3% (28-58) on the evening. Connecticut went 24-28 from the free throw line, while Chicago was 13-15.

Notes:

• The Connecticut Sun finish 4-1 in Commissioner’s Cup play. With the win, another $3,000 will be donated to Reproductive Equity Now, the Sun’s 2024 Commissioner’s Cup beneficiary. The Sun raised a total of $13,000 for the organization over five Cup games this year.
• Ty Harris dished out a season and team-high seven assists.
• DeWanna Bonner moved into 12^th all-time in steals in WNBA history in the win, tying Tully Bevilaqua (573).
• The Sun tied their season-low with 28 rebounds.
• Brionna Jones scored 10 of her 18 points in the second quarter.
• Tonight, marked Stephanie White’s 38^th career-win as the head coach of the Sun. She is now tied with Anne Donovan for 4^th all-time in wins in Sun franchise history.
  • She is also the fastest coach in franchise history to hit 38 wins with the team, doing so in just 52 games. Curt Miller and Mike Thibault are the next closest at 71 games.
• Connecticut turned the ball over 15 times, resulting in 18 points for Chicago. Chicago turned the ball over 19 times, resulting in 14 points for Connecticut.
• The Sun outscored the Sky on second chance opportunities (15-8) and on the fast break (13-12), but the Sky held the advantage in paint points (44-42) and bench points (21-7).

NEXT GAME: The Connecticut Sun travel to Texas to face the Dallas Wings on Saturday, June 15 at 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT at the College Park Center.