PHOENIX – Brionna Jones finished with 18 points as she and four other Connecticut Sun players scored in double-digits, powering them to an 83-72 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Alyssa Thomas notched a double-double (12 rebounds, 10 points) and DiJonai Carrington netted 16 points for the Sun (15-4). Connecticut shot 28-for-59 (47.9%) from the field even though they were just 5-for-20 (25%) from three.
In the second half of a back-to-back, both Kahleah Copper and Brittney Griner each had 21 points in the Mercury’s (9-10) second loss in consecutive days. Natasha Cloud recorded a double-double of her own, 18 points and 10 assists.
Both teams struggled early to find a rhythm
After an off-night all around when the Mercury lost to the Sun 70-47 back on May 28, Phoenix went into the rematch without star Diana Taurasi (back soreness) and regular starter Rebecca Allen (lower back). Needing to adjust his lineup accordingly, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts went to Natasha Mack and Sophie Cunningham.
Knowing the adversity the Mercury were going to deal with because of how important Allen and Taurasi are, Cloud credited the next player-up mentality Phoenix has and will continue to have.
“It’s going to take all of us, every person on this roster has a role on this team whether they are in the game or if they are not,” Cloud said. “This has been a long stretch, three games in four days is a lot but that is no excuse. I am proud of our fight today.”
"It's going to take all of us, every person on this roster."
Our @AlecCipollini asked Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) about how important the "next player up" mentality is through a tough stretch with multiple injuries.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/3hSArSDW7I
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) July 2, 2024
Minus two of their more prominent players, Phoenix stayed within striking distance of the Sun despite both teams shooting 1-for-6 (16.7%) from three in the first quarter. The last time the Mercury faced the Sun, they shot a historic 1-for-27 (3.7%) from deep.
Up 19-17, the Sun came out in the second quarter with a larger sense of urgency as they went on a 15-8 run. But with Phoenix relentlessly keeping up the pressure defensively and forcing Connecticut into seven first-half turnovers, the Mercury were down 42-35.
“Just to be able to come back and come out with the effort that we brought today, we still have some things to clean up but we are heading in the right direction,” Jones said on the early adversity.
Trying to inflict her persistent presence on both ends of the floor, Carrington scored 12 points before halftime after being blatantly upset with a pair of foul calls by the officials. She shot 4-for-9 (44.4%) overall on the night.
As the third quarter was waning down, Griner mysteriously left the bench of the already injury-riddled Mercury, raising a cause for concern. Just after the horn signaled the end of the frame, however, the 6-foot-9 center returned with no apparent signs of any issues.
Connecticut inched closer and closer to taking control of the game before multiple travel calls, turnovers and shot clock violations. Punishing them for their mistakes, the Mercury fought within five points and swung the momentum in their favor.
Late-game adjustments by Sun key in win
With Griner hitting a three, Sun head coach Stephanie White called a crucial timeout in the fourth quarter to recollect her team, needing a response.
BRITTNEY GRINER CASHES IN FROM DOWNTOWN ????
Griner hits the ninth 3-pointer of her career — the second of the season. Connecticut now leads by just five points with 7:48 remaining.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/xFybvcLsKQ
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) July 2, 2024
Making the proper adjustments defensively, Connecticut limited the Mercury to just 3-for-17 (17.7%) shooting from three and heavily outrebounded them 37-18 in the game.
“Just staying poised,” Sun guard Veronica Burton said. “I think especially on the road, I think it can be really easy to be a huge momentum shift for them and for us to shrink and play more passively. I think we did the opposite, I think that is a great sign of leadership from the veterans on this team to kinda stay calm since this is a game of runs. Just keeping the foot on the gas for sure.”
Despite both competing to the final whistle and ending up tying 19-19 in the fourth quarter, the first half damage by Connecticut ultimately guided them to victory.
Even though he highlighted the hill of disadvantages that they were dealt, Tibbetts praised his team for their valiant effort through the challenges and to compete with one of the top teams in the league.
“It was our third game in four nights and we were playing eight people, so I was proud of the way we competed,” Tibbetts said. “I don’t think you saw the best version of us tonight, everything was a step slow.”
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts discusses Phoenix's loss to Connecticut:
"It was our third game in four nights and we were playing eight people. I was proud of the way we competed… but everything was a little bit step slow."#ValleyTogether #BringTheHeat #WNBA pic.twitter.com/oPHK1Wqcnl
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) July 2, 2024
Next Games
Mercury:Â Away at Dallas Wings (4-14) | July 3 | 5 p.m. PT
Sun: Away at Minnesota Lynx (14-4) | July 4 | 5 p.m. PT
‘Caitlin Clark Effect’ took over Phoenix, Mercury vs. Fever broke multiple attendance records
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
