Sun can move step closer to playoffs by defeating Mystics

The Connecticut Sun play the Washington Mystics this afternoon it what qualifies as a must-win game for both teams' playoff hopes.

It would take a loss and a whole lot more to aggravate Connecticut more than it was on Friday night.

The Sun were sunk by a combination of 23 turnovers, 25 fouls and the hot-hand of Chelsea Gray in Friday night's 80-76 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.

"It's too bad," Connecticut head coach Curt Miller said afterwards. "I thought we outplayed them. We didn't get any help with the officiating tonight. None. Zero. And we had too many turnovers. And so (it's) a tough game to let slip. A tough game for that group in the locker room.

“(They) felt good about this opportunity tonight to play against a team that is the hottest team in the league. Unfortunately, we came up short.”

The Sun and Mystics tip off at 4

p.m. (no TV) at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Connecticut (6-9) is in seventh place in the overall standings. The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs. The reigning WNBA champion Mystics (4-10) are 10th.

The Sun shot 49.2 percent against Los Angeles and led by as much as 4534 with 8:17 left in the third quarter.

It's tough to win, though, when you turn it over 23 times for 27 points.

"Ultimately, it's the story," Miller said. “When you shoot 50 percent and you turn it over 23 times, if you get (the turnovers) down to your average of 13 or 14, that's 10 possessions that typically we would have on a given night . ... If you just take 10 more possessions with shots on goal and you continue to shoot 50 percent, the math adds up pretty quickly to 10

12 points that you've left out there just because of you're turnovers, and you helped supplement (the opponent's) offense.”

Connecticut was really upset with the officiating. It was on the wrong end of a 25-17 edge in fouls. That included seven offensive fouls, three of which were called in succession in the final 2:07 of the game.

Los Angeles (11-3) made 16 of 20 free throws. The Sun made all seven of theirs.

"Disappointed with the turnovers," Miller said. "Now some are absolutely (from) non-basketball-playing charges with their players stepping-in (the way) . ... Obviously, there were three people that were pretty much on the golf course the entire night."

Jasmine Thomas' 3-pointer cut Connecticut's deficit to 77-74 with 2:46 remaining.

The three straight offensive fouls followed.

Asked to talk about the final five minutes, Sun forward DeWanna Bonner said, "I don't even know if I want to take you through the last five minutes of that game. I don't even know what to say. I don't think there was any possible way we were winning that game if anyone was watching. That's tough to beat. That's tough to play with three offensive fouls.”

Gray added to the Connecticut's angst. She scored a game-high 27 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 5:01 remaining to put Los Angeles ahead for good, 72-69.

Alyssa Thomas had 19 points, nine rebounds and three steals and Bonner had 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals for Connecticut.

Jasmine Thomas had 12 points and six assists, but also had a gamehigh seven turnovers. Brionna Jones added 10 points and three steals for the Sun. n.griffen@theday.com