Dallas Wings vs Connecticut Sun August 23, 2017

It was a gritty win for the Connecticut Sun over the Dallas Wings with the Sun playing their fourth game in eleven days. Final score 93-87. With this win the Sun now have 20 wins in a season for the first time since 2012.

Alyssa Thomas finished with a season high 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists. It was her fourth game of the season with 20 or more points, and she has now scored in double figures in 11 straight games (24 on the season).  Jonquel Jones recorded her 18th double-double and 14th straight game of the season scoring in double figures with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Jones has scored in double figures 26 times this year. She also surpassed 300 career defensive rebounds in the win. Shekinna Stricklen was 3-of-6 from three finishing the game with 14 points, and became just the fourth player in franchise history to make 60 or more shots from behind the arc in a single season (62). She has scored in double figures in three straight games (13 times this season), and has now made three or more threes 11 times. Jasmine Thomas scored 17 points with four assists. She has now scored in double figures in four straight games and 23 times overall this season.

All five starters for the Wings scored in double figures. Skylar Diggins-Smith led Dallas with 19 points and six assists. Rookie of the Year contender Allisha Gray had 18 points and two assists. Kayla Thornton scored eight points and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds. Her seven defensive rebounds were a career high as well.

After the game, Connecticut Head Coach Miller stated: “That was gritty. I didn’t know what to expect tonight with Dallas really motivated after the suspension of Glory (Johnson). They have played only one time in the last 11 days and we are playing our fourth game in nine days. Those are the game in the WNBA that you typically do not find a way to the finish line. I felt at time we looked tired and we didn’t move them, we settled. We couldn’t do some of things we wanted to do, but you have to give Dallas credit. That is gritty to win your fourth game in nine days against a team that played once in 11 days. That is a huge win to get to 20 wins. If my math is correct it secures us no worse than fifth, and we are still in the dog fight to try to get into that top four. Exciting win, but we have another quick turn-around to get ready for Chicago.”

It's another quick turnaround for the Sun with their next game on August 25 when they host the Chicago Sky. The Wings now travel to Washington D.C. to take on the Mystics August 26.

See photos from the game  below, or visit the gallery here for full-size images.

Dallas Wings vs Connecticut Sun August 12, 2017

It was another night of fun, high-scoring, team basketball. As Ben York wrote, If you "Love basketball? Then you should love the Sun." All Connecticut starters finished in double figures beating the Dallas Wings 96-88; the eighth straight home victory. Alyssa Thomas led Connecticut in scoring with her third double-double of the season. The forward finished with 21 points and took down a career high13 defensive rebounds. Jonquel Jones finished with her 16th double-double of the season and her sixth straight. The center collected 19 points and 16 rebounds against the Wings while matching a career high with five blocked shots.

The victory over Dallas, combined with Atlanta’s 84-68 loss in San Antonio clinched a playoff berth for the Connecticut Sun. The last time the Sun were in the playoffs was in 2012.

For the Wings, Glory Johnson finished with her fourth straight and 12th double-double of the season.That is the most double-doubles she has had with the Wings, and the four straight is one shy of her career high. She had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Rookie Allisha Gray finished with a career high of 21 points. Skylar Diggins-Smith had 17 points, and was a perfect 10 of 10 from the free throw line. She also led the team with five assists.

After the game, Sun Head Coach Curt Miller commented: “I thought this game was going to come down to toughness. Certainly that was the word in our preparation. I have great respect for Dallas. I think they’re unbelievably athletic, unbelievably talented. And I personally think they are truly one of the dangerous teams in this league. And in the playoffs, I don’t think anyone would want to face them."  Regarding making the playoffs: “The locker room certainly has bigger goals so now we’ll fight for position and a very, very important potential bye. For the four teams that get byes in the first round. Ultimately, as my GM half, I want to try and create something that has sustained success and everywhere I’ve been as a head coach, that has been a big part of that plan. This was just step one and I hope we have the opportunity to be in the playoffs every year.”

The 17-9 Sun now travel to Atlanta to face the Dream on August 15th, while the 13-16 Wings play the Atlanta Dream at home on August 19th.

See photos from the game below, or visit the gallery here for full-size images.