First-place Sun host Liberty in rare morning game today
Mild July schedule has Sun rested and ready for second half of WNBA season
Mohegan — The Connecticut Sun have been able to enjoy consecutive days off a few times this month.
Perhaps that doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's enormous for most WNBA players who play year-round in the states and overseas.
“I might have gotten a little over a week,” guard Jasmine Thomas said about the most time she's had off this year.
Connecticut plays just its sixth game of the month this morning when it hosts the New York Liberty (11:30, NESN Plus) at Mohegan Sun Arena.
It will be just the second game the Sun have played since July 14. It's also their last game before the All-Star break, where Connecticut will be represented by starter Jonquel Jones and reserve Alyssa Thomas.
Players still have to practice when there isn't a game to play, so they don't have much time to rest. A lighter schedule, however, has helped the Sun.
“It absolutely has,” Jasmine Thomas said. “It's nice that July has been a little slower. We were able to have two days off a few times over the last month. Your body feels it.
“We were actually talking about
our August schedule today, thinking about how crazy it's going to be.”
The Sun (12-6) return to the grind after the break. They will play 12 games from July 30-Aug. 30, including seven on the road. There's one stretch where they'll play four games in 10 days.
There's not a whole lot of time off for most WNBA players because they play overseas so they can bank as much money as they can before age ends their careers.
The maximum WNBA salary is $117,500, according to the collective bargaining agreement. It's good money for about five months of work. It's nowhere near what their male peers make in the lucrative NBA. Rookie Tacko Fall, who went undrafted in June, signed a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics worth $898,310.
The WNBA regular season ends on Sept. 8. The latest the playoffs could go is Oct. 8.
“Usually vacations are anywhere from four-to-seven days,” Thomas said. “You just get used to it like with anything when you know what it's going to be like and what to expect.
“I will say what helps is knowing that you have a break coming; having that to look forward to, it definitely helps. … You know when those breaks are going to happen.”
It's been an odd WNBA season, perhaps due to the number of injuries or players taking time off. The Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut, who are tied for first in the overall standings, are just four games ahead of the ninthplace Liberty (8-10).
New York started the season 0-4 before righting itself. Center Tina Charles is among the league-leaders in points (17.4) and rebounds (7.4). Guard Kia Nurse (16.2 ppg) was chosen to start in the All-Star Game in just her second season.
New York has also received a boost from French rookie Marine Johannes. She joined the team late this month and is averaging 11.3 points off the bench in three games. She made all six of her shots, including four 3-pointers, in last Saturday's 83-78 win over the Los Angeles Sparks.
“They're really deep after getting everybody back from (the) EuroBasket (tournament),” Sun head coach Curt Miller said. “They just keep throwing guards at you. They're really dangerous playing at a pace that's the second fastest in the league.” n.griffen@theday.com
“They’re really deep after getting everybody back from (the) EuroBasket (tournament). They just keep throwing guards a you. They’re really dangerous playing at a pace that’s the second fastest in the league” SUN COACH CURT MILLER