Sun, to be successful, must play on the run
It's no big secret what opponents want to do when playing the Connecticut Sun — keep them from running and force them to make outside shots.
Connecticut didn't score any fast break points during its two losses last week. It didn't even attempt a shot on the break in either game.
The Sun have to get back to consistently scoring on the run in order to return to the WNBA playoffs. They have nine games left in the regular season, starting with the Washington Mystics today at Mohegan Sun Arena (7 p.m., NBCSB.
“Some teams right now are leery of our transition game,” Sun coach Curt Miller said. “(They're) really making a concerted effort of playing us in the halfcourt.
“We've seen what Washington has done (against us). … They've forced us to take some threes, and when we're making them, we look great. And when we're not, we get away from who we are.”
Connecticut (13-12) has a one-game lead over the Las Vegas Aces (12-13) for eighth place in the overall standings. The top eight teams make the playoffs.
The Sun received half of the vote for the most fun team to watch in the league's preseason GM survey. They played that way through their first eight games, scoring 10-or-more fast break points five times.
Alyssa Thomas suffered a shoulder injury during their ninth game, a 95-91 loss to the Mystics on June 13 at the Arena. She missed 10 games, robbing the Sun of their best player.
The Sun's offense also runs the best when Thomas grabs the rebound and leads the break. She's third in the league in rebounding (9.2) and tied for ninth in assists (4.5).
Thomas has returned and played six games. Connecticut has scored 10-or-more on the break twice (both were wins).
The Sun had no fast break points in losses to the Atlanta Dream (86-83, July 17) and Seattle Storm (78-65, July 20).
Connecticut struggled to make shots when needed in its previous three losses, too.
The league average on field goal attempts this season from 6-to-10 feet is 43 percent, and 40 percent from 11-15 feet, according to data compiled by Minnesota Lynx statistician Paul Swanson.
The Sun are shooting below the league average from both distances, .385 and .318, respectively.
“We just haven't consistently shot it as well as we need to have success,” Miller said. “And while
we still lead the league in points in the paint (36.5 ppg.), we have to be able to make more outside shots to open it up more.”
Connecticut was efficient on both the break and shooting during Sunday's 92-75 win at Dallas. It shot 50 percent, led by Shekinna Stricklen tying a WNBA single-game record with eight 3-pointers (on 11 attempts). She scored 24.
The Sun also made six of seven shots on the break for 15 points.
“We got our shooters going and our posts got some open looks,” said Connecticut's Courtney Williams (15 points). “I got my jumper going. (Jasmine) Thomas got to her spot.”
Washington (14-10) has beaten Connecticut in two of three meetings this season, but neither team was at full strength for the entirety of those games.
The Mystics' Elena Delle Donne (20.5 ppg, third in the league) missed her team's June 3 home game against the Sun. Connecticut won, 88-64. Thomas injured her shoulder late in the third quarter of the June 13 loss. She also missed a 92-80 loss at Washington (June 26).
Kristi Toliver and Delle Donne were phenomenal the last time they played at the Arena. They combined to shoot 20 of 39 for 61 points.
“The one-two punch of Delle Donne and Toliver, they dictate your whole game plan,” Miller said about Washington. “They're really deep and just keep coming at you.” n.griffen@theday.com