SUN WAIVE SMALLS, SUSPEND JASMINE THOMAS TEMPORARILY FOR COVID TESTING

The Connecticut Sun waived guard Kamiah Smalls Wednesday and temporarily suspended starting point guard Jasmine Thomas because she hasn't been cleared yet due to COVID-19 protocols.

Thomas flew into New York Wednesday and was en route to Connecticut after finishing her Turkish league season on Tuesday. She's not fully vaccinated and must have six consecutive days of negative tests before she can join the team.

The WNBA doesn't have a reserve roster, which is why the Sun temporarily suspended Thomas because it allows them to add another player during her absence.

WNBA teams have until Thursday to pare down their rosters to a maximum of 12 players. Connecticut will carry 11 due to the salary cap but will have 10 active players because starting forward Alyssa Thomas will miss this season after injuring her Achilles in January.

Thomas was a free agent when she was injured, so she had the right to be paid by whoever signed her.

The Sun's current roster, excluding Thomas, is forward-guard DeWanna Bonner, guard-forwards DiJonai Carrington (rookie) and Kaila Charles, guards Natisha Hiedeman, Briann January and Thomas, and forwards Jonquel Jones, Brionna Jones, Stephanie Jones (rookie) and Beatrice Mompremier.

Jonquel Jones had her first practice with Connecticut Wednesday after going through the quarantine protocol.

It was her first practice with the Sun since October 2019 after opting out of last season due to the pandemic. She arrived late in camp due because she had been playing in Russia.

"So much joy in the gym just to see her around," Connecticut assistant Chris Koclanes said after Wednesday's practice. "She has just such a vibe around her with all that positive energy."

Koclanes said that January was awaiting results of her second COVID test that she took Wednesday. She would travel with the team Thursday and be available to play Friday's season-opener at the Atlanta Dream if the test is negative. She arrived late to camp after her season in Hungary ran long.

— Ned Griffen