Stewart nets 22 points, helps Storm beat shorthanded Sun

Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington scores over Seattle Storm defenders Mercedes Russell, (front), and Breanna Stewart during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, on June 13, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (AP)

of last year’s Eastern Conference final, won by the Lightning in six games.

Most of the players are the same, including Varlamov and Vasilevskiy,

UNCASVILLE, Conn., June 14, (AP): Breanna Stewart had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists to help the Seattle Storm beat the Connecticut Sun 89-66.

Stewart made 4 of 5 from 3-point range for the Storm (10-2), who improved their lead atop the WNBA standings over the second-place Sun (8-3).

BASKETBALL

Connecticut was without Jonquel Jones, who left for Europe to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at EuroBasket.

Jones averaged 21.6 points and 10.4 rebounds over the first 10 games of the season, the only WNBA player currently averaging a double-double.

Sue Bird made 3 of 4 3-pointers and added 13 points for Seattle, which pulled away with 14-2 run in the second quarter.

and the Lightning are very familiar with New York coach Barry Trotz, who has faced them at this stage of the playoffs three of the past four seasons.