DeWanna Bonner (22 points, seven rebounds) hit a huge 3-pointer for the Connecticut Sun with 38.6 seconds remaining to put them up five and they went on to win 72-65 over the preseason favorite Las Vegas Aces on Sunday at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas to improve to 5-0.
With Chicago’s loss to New York, Connecticut, a team many thought would be in a struggle to make the playoffs, is the only remaining unbeaten team in the WNBA.
“Big road win for us tonight against a really talented team,” Sun coach Curt Miller said. “Just really proud of our toughness and our second half and attitude coming out of halftime that we were gonna continue to battle and stick to what we believe in, our pillars.”
Brionna Jones (19 points, four assists) blocked a Chelsea Gray pass to Liz Cambage and Natasha Hiedeman picked up the loose ball 8.4 seconds after Bonner’s shot to give Connecticut possession back. Bonner then made two free throws and the Aces’ Dearica Hamby missed a 3-pointer with 19.5 seconds to go and that was it.
A’ja Wilson closed a 7-0 Vegas run with a layup that cut her team’s deficit to two with 48.6 seconds to play. The Aces (2-2) were within two two other times in the fourth: at the 8:02 mark and the 6:19 mark.
Jonquel Jones matched B. Jones with 19 points and also hauled in a game-high 11 rebounds as Connecticut outrebounded Vegas 44-26.
It was a game of runs. The Sun led 18-8 after one but trailed by six at halftime before regaining the lead by seven entering the fourth.
Jasmine Thomas added seven points, nine boards and five assists to the winning cause, while Wilson had 14 points and seven boards in defeat.
Other action
New York Liberty (4-1) over Chicago Sky (2-1), 93-85
Sabrina Ionescu notched 19 points, 12 assists, five rebounds and three blocks to guide the Liberty, who maintained at least a five-point cushion for the final 5:12 of the game. Betnijah Laney scored a team-high 20 points to go along with six rebounds and five helpers. Rebecca Allen, Natasha Howard, Sami Whitcomb and Michaela Onyenwere joined Ionescu and Laney in double figures. Allen made a layup with 22.5 seconds left that put the game out of reach at 93-85.
Courtney Vandersloot had an incredible 16 assists in defeat to go along with 14 points. Diamond DeShields scored 22 points, Ruthy Hebard recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds and Astou Ndour-Fall had 17 and seven.
New York has a glaring blowout loss to the Elena Delle Donne-less Mystics, but also has wins over perceived contenders in Minnesota and Chicago and has the second-best record in the league.
Indiana Fever (1-4) over Washington Mystics (1-3), 89-77
The Fever got into the win column behind matching 17 and 10 double-doubles from Jessica Breland (five assists, two blocks) and Teaira McCowan. Kelsey Mitchell scored 18 points to lead the team, which created separation with a 27-13 third. Danielle Robinson added 13 points and six helpers and Victoria Vivians scored eight of her 11 in the fourth.
“We know, in our locker room, that we’re a better shooting team than what we’ve displayed and today you saw it,” said Fever coach Marianna Stanley. “I’m really happy for our team. They earned the win, they worked hard for it, they stayed together.”
Tina Charles notched her second-consecutive 30-point game with 31 points and nine boards in defeat. Charles is second in the league in scoring with 25.3 points per game, trailing only Breanna Stewart (25.8).