2018 Connecticut Sun season
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{WNBA season
| team = Connecticut Sun
| year = 2018
| attendance = 6,626
| wins = 21
| losses = 13
| conf = Eastern
| conf_place = 3rd
| coach = Curt Miller
| arena = Mohegan Sun Arena
| points = Chiney Ogwumike – 14.4 ppg
| rebounds = Alyssa Thomas – 8.1 rpg
| assists = Jasmine Thomas – 4.8 apg
| playoffs = 4th seed, Lost in Second Round to Phoenix Mercury 86–96
| television = NBC Sports Boston and WCCT-TV
}}
The 2018 WNBA season is the 20th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the WNBA. It is also the 16th season for the franchise in Connecticut. The season tipped off on May 13.{{cite web|url=http://sun.wnba.com/schedule/#?season=2018&seasontype=02|title=2018 Connecticut Sun Schedule|publisher=Women's National Basketball Association|accessdate=April 3, 2018}}
The Sun got off to a strong start, going 3–0 in May. All three wins were at home. In June, the Sun started strong, winning their first 4 of 5. However, they lost 5 of their next 7 games to finish 6–6 on the month. That skid included a 1–4 road trip, where all losses came 4 of eventual top 5 playoff teams. Their up and down season continued into July, where the Sun were 5–6. July started with another tough road trip where the Sun went 1–3. From there the Sun couldn't get a streak going; losing 2 then winning 2 then losing 2 again. The Sun surged in August posting a 7–1 record, including going 6–0 at home. Their only loss came on the road to Chicago. The Sun finished 21–13, which earned them the 4th seed in the 2018 WNBA Playoffs. Their playoff run fell short when they lost at home in the second round 86–96. This was the Sun's only playoff game, as they earned a first round bye.
Transactions
=WNBA draft=
{{see also|2018 WNBA draft}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
! style="{{WNBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}}" width="2%"| Round ! style="{{WNBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}};" width="5%"| Pick ! style="{{WNBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}};" width="10%"| Player ! style="{{WNBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}};" width="10%"| Nationality ! style="{{WNBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}};" width="10%"| School/Team/Country |
| 1
| 9 | {{USA}} | Duke |
| 3
| 33 | {{USA}} |
=Trades/Roster Changes=
Roster
{{sports roster
| team=Connecticut Sun
| season = 2018
| style = WNBA
| players =
{{sports roster/entry | num = 1 | first = Rachel | last = Banham | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 9 | lbs = 168 | DOB = 07-15-1993 | yrs = 2 | college = Minnesota | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 4 | first = Lexie | last = Brown | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 9 | lbs = | DOB = 10-27-1994 | yrs = R | college = Duke | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 23 | first = Layshia | last = Clarendon | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 9 | lbs = 158 | DOB = 05-02-1991 | yrs = 5 | college = California | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 32 | first = Bria | last = Holmes | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 170 | DOB = 04-19-1994 | yrs = 2 | college = West Virginia | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 35 | first = Jonquel | last = Jones | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 190 | DOB = 01-05-1994 | yrs = 2 | college = George Washington | nat = BHS}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 42 | first = Brionna | last = Jones | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 230 | DOB = 12-18-1995 | yrs = 1 | college = Maryland | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 44 | first = Betnijah | last = Laney | pos = F/G | ft = 6 | in = 0 | lbs = 160 | DOB = 10-29-1993 | yrs = 2 | college = Rutgers | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 13 | first = Chiney | last = Ogwumike | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 173 | DOB = 03-22-1992 | yrs = 2 | college = Stanford | nat = USA| inj = }}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 40 | first = Shekinna | last = Stricklen | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 178 | DOB = 07-30-1990 | yrs = 6 | college = Tennessee | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 25 | first = Alyssa | last = Thomas | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 185 | DOB = 04-12-1992 | yrs = 4 | college = Maryland | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 5 | first = Jasmine | last = Thomas | link = Jasmine Thomas (basketball) | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 9 | lbs = 145 | DOB = 09-30-1989 | yrs = 7 | college = Duke | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 33 | first = Morgan | last = Tuck | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 200 | DOB = 04-30-1994 | yrs = 2 | college = Connecticut | nat = USA}}
{{sports roster/entry | num = 10 | first = Courtney | last = Williams | link = Courtney M. Williams | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 8 | lbs = 136 | DOB = 05-11-1994 | yrs = 2 | college = South Florida | nat = USA}}
| head_coach =
{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Curt | last = Miller| college = Baldwin Wallace University}}
| asst_coach =
{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Brandi | last = Poole | nolink = 1|college=}}
{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Steve | last = Smith | nolink = 1|college=}}
| ath_train =
| str_cond =
}}
Game log
=Preseason =
{{WNBA game log start|Connecticut Sun|pre-season=yes|end_year=2018}}
{{WNBA game log section|Connecticut Sun|May|first=yes
| home_wins = 3
| home_losses = 0
| road_wins = 0
| road_losses = 0
}}
|- style="background:#bbffbb;"
| 1
| May 7
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180507/LASCON/ W 68–65]
| J. Thomas (12)
| Ogwumike (8)
| Tied (2)
| 1–0
|- style="background:#bbffbb;"
| 2
| May 8
| Dallas
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180508/DALCON/ W 79–58]
| Williams (18)
| A. Thomas (12)
| A. Thomas (5)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
3,695
| 2–0
|- style="background:#bbffbb;"
| 3
| May 11
| Atlanta
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180511/ATLCON/ W 74–58]
| Bentley (13)
| 3 Tied (5)
| J. Thomas (3)
| Webster Bank Arena
1,610
| 3–0
{{WNBA game log end|con|pre-season=yes|end_year=2018}}
=Regular season=
{{WNBA game log start|Connecticut Sun|end_year=2018|record=Total: 21–13 (Home: 13–4; Road: 8–9)}}
{{WNBA game log section|Connecticut Sun|May|first=yes
| home_wins = 3
| home_losses = 0
| road_wins = 0
| road_losses = 0
}}
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 1
| May 20
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180520/LVACON/ W 101–65]
| Bentley (18)
| A. Thomas (17)
| J. Thomas (6)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
6,637
| 1–0
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 2
| May 24
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180524/LASCON/ W 102–94]
| Ogwumike (18)
| A. Thomas (9)
| J. Thomas (8)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
5,571
| 2–0
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 3
| May 26
| Indiana
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180526/INDCON/ W 86–77]
| A. Thomas (21)
| Ogwumike (8)
| Williams (6)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
5,843
| 3–0
{{WNBA game log section|Connecticut Sun|June
| home_wins = 2
| home_losses = 1
| road_wins = 4
| road_losses = 5
}}
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 4
| June 1
| @ Chicago
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180601/CONCHI/ W 110–72]
| Tied (20)
| A. Thomas (13)
| J. Thomas (8)
| Wintrust Arena
4,131
| 4–0
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 5
| June 3
| @ Washington
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180603/CONWAS/ W 88–64]
| J. Thomas (25)
| Williams (10)
| A. Thomas (4)
| Capital One Arena
5,176
| 5–0
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 6
| June 5
| @ Atlanta
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180605/CONATL/ L 77–82]
| A. Thomas (19)
| A. Thomas (17)
| A. Thomas (7)
| McCamish Pavilion
2,830
| 5–1
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 7
| June 7
| @ New York
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180607/CONNYL/ W 88–86]
| J. Thomas (19)
| 3 Tied (9)
| J. Thomas (8)
| Westchester County Center
1,581
| 6–1
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 8
| June 9
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180609/MINCON/ W 89–75]
| Williams (22)
| Tied (11)
| Tied (4)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
6,771
| 7–1
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 9
| June 13
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180613/WASCON/ L 91–95]
| Williams (34)
| Ogwumike (13)
| J. Thomas (5)
| 7–2
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 10
| June 15
| @ Seattle
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180615/CONSEA/ L 92–103]
| Ogwumike (30)
| J. Jones (8)
| J. Thomas (6)
| KeyArena
7,094
| 7–3
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 11
| June 16
| @ Phoenix
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180616/CONPHO/ L 72–89]
| Tuck (20)
| Williams (6)
| Banham (4)
| Talking Stick Resort Arena
12,497
| 7–4
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 12
| June 22
| @ Atlanta
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180622/CONATL/ L 70–75]
| Bentley (18)
| J. Jones (7)
| Tied (4)
| McCamish Pavilion
4,047
| 7–5
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 13
| June 24
| @ Indiana
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180624/CONIND/ W 87–78]
| Banham (20)
| B. Jones (10)
| Bentley (6)
| Bankers Life Fieldhouse
5,458
| 8–5
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 14
| June 26
| @ Washington
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180626/CONWAS/ L 80–92]
| Ogwumike (17)
| Ogwumike (11)
| Bentley (6)
| Capital One Arena
4,139
| 8–6
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 15
| June 27
| Indiana
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180627/INDCON/ W 101–89]
| Tied (21)
| Ogwumike (10)
| J. Thomas (6)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
5,112
| 9–6
{{WNBA game log section|Connecticut Sun|July
| home_wins = 2
| home_losses = 3
| road_wins = 3
| road_losses = 3
}}
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 16
| July 1
| @ Seattle
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180701/CONSEA/ L 70–84]
| Bentley (15)
| 4 Tied (6)
| Bentley (4)
| KeyArena
9,307
| 9–7
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 17
| July 3
| @ Los Angeles
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180703/CONLAS/ W 73–72]
| Ogwumike (21)
| Tied (7)
| Banham (6)
| Staples Center
6,280
| 10–7
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 18
| July 5
| @ Phoenix
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180705/CONPHO/ L 77–84]
| 3 Tied (11)
| Tuck (8)
| 3 Tied (3)
| Talking Stick Resort Arena
8,599
| 10–8
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 19
| July 7
| @ Las Vegas
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180707/CONLVA/ L 90–94]
| Tuck (20)
| Ogwumike (11)
| J. Thomas (8)
| Mandalay Bay Events Center
3,363
| 10–9
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 20
| July 11
| New York
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180711/NYLCON/ L 76–79]
| Ogwumike (17)
| A. Thomas (10)
| Williams (5)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
7,413
| 10–10
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 21
| July 13
| Phoenix
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180713/PHOCON/ W 91–87]
| Williams (25)
| Williams (10)
| A. Thomas (10)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
7,696
| 11–10
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 22
| July 15
| @ Minnesota
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180715/CONMIN/ W 83–64]
| Tuck (15)
| Williams (8)
| Clarendon (5)
| Target Center
9,234
| 12–10
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 23
| July 17
| Atlanta
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180717/ATLCON/ L 83–86]
| J. Jones (19)
| A. Thomas (10)
| J. Thomas (6)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
5,555
| 12–11
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 24
| July 20
| Seattle
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180720/SEACON/ L 65–78]
| Ogwumike (21)
| Ogwumike (12)
| Banham (5)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
7,908
| 12–12
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 25
| July 22
| @ Dallas
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180722/CONDAL/ W 92–75]
| Stricklen (24)
| A. Thomas (8)
| J. Thomas (9)
| College Park Center
4,935
| 13–12
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 26
| July 24
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180724/WASCON/ W 94–68]
| J. Jones (23)
| Williams (10)
| Williams (6)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
5,125
| 14–12
{{WNBA game log section|Connecticut Sun|August
| home_wins = 6
| home_losses = 0
| road_wins = 1
| road_losses = 1
}}
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 27
| August 1
| New York
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180801/NYLCON/ W 92–77]
| J. Jones (21)
| A. Thomas (12)
| Williams (6)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
6,412
| 15–12
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 28
| August 5
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180805/LVACON/ W 109–88]
| J. Thomas (30)
| Tied (7)
| Williams (5)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
6,791
| 16–12
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 29
| August 8
| @ Dallas
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180808/CONDAL/ W 101–92]
| A. Thomas (22)
| Williams (10)
| J. Thomas (9)
| College Park Center
3,483
| 17–12
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 30
| August 10
| @ Chicago
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180810/CONCHI/ L 86–97]
| Ogwumike (18)
| Tied (6)
| Tied (3)
| Wintrust Arena
5,976
| 17–13
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 31
| August 12
| Chicago
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180812/CHICON/ W 82–75]
| Williams (22)
| J. Jones (15)
| J. Thomas (8)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
7,687
| 18–13
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 32
| August 14
| Dallas
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180814/DALCON/ W 96–76]
| J. Jones (27)
| J. Jones (10)
| J. Thomas (7)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
6,365
| 19–13
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 33
| August 17
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180817/MINCON/ W 96–79]
| J. Jones (26)
| Tied (8)
| A. Thomas (8)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
7,089
| 20–13
|- style="background:#bfb;"
| 34
| August 19
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180819/LASCON/ W 89–86]
| J. Thomas (27)
| J. Jones (9)
| J. Jones (7)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
8,040
| 21–13
{{WNBA game log end|con|end_year=2018}}
=Playoffs=
{{WNBA game log start|Connecticut Sun|playoffs=yes|end_year=2018|record=Total: 0–1(Home: 0–1; Road: 0–0)}}
{{WNBA game log section|Connecticut Sun|WNBA Second Round|playoffs=yes|first=yes
| home_wins = 0
| home_losses = 1
| road_wins = 0
| road_losses = 0
}}
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 1
| August 23
| Phoenix
| [http://www.wnba.com/game/20180823/PHOCON/ L 86–96]
| Williams (27)
| Williams (8)
| J. Jones (7)
| Mohegan Sun Arena
7,858
| 0–1
{{WNBA game log end|con|playoffs=yes|end_year=2018}}
Standings
{{2018 WNBA Eastern Conference standings|team=CON}}
Playoffs
{{main|2018 WNBA Playoffs}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:2018 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}
Awards and honors
| class="wikitable sortable sortable" style="text-align: center"
! style="{{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}}" width="5%" | Recipient ! style="{{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}}" width="9%" | Award ! style="{{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}}" width="5%" | Date awarded ! style="{{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}}" width="1%" class="unsortable" | Ref. |
| Alyssa Thomas
| WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week | May 29, 2018 |
| Chiney Ogwumike
| WNBA All-Star Selection | July 17, 2018 |
| rowspan=2| Jonquel Jones
| WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week | August 20, 2018 |
| WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Award
| August 23, 2018 |
Statistics
{{WNBA roster statistics legend}}
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |
| style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="16%" | Player
! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | GP ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | GS ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | MPG ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | FG% ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | 3P% ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | FT% ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | RPG ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="5%" | APG ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | SPG ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | BPG ! style={{NBA color cell|Connecticut Sun}} width="6%" | PPG |
|---|
| Chiney Ogwumike
| 31 | 31 | 25.5 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | .603 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | .500 | .797 | 7.3 | 1.0 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 1.2 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 0.6 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 14.4 |
| Jasmine Thomas
| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 34 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 34 | 28.1 | .398 | .311 | .855 | 3.3 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 4.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 12.9 |
| Courtney Williams
| 30 | 29 | 27.1 | .456 | .377 | .680 | 5.9 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 12.6 |
| Jonquel Jones
| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 34 | 16 | 20.5 | .550 | .467 | .671 | 5.5 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 11.8 |
| Alyssa Thomas
| 24 | 24 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 30.6 | .464 | .000 | .547 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 8.1 | 4.2 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 1.2 | 0.4 | 10.3 |
| Shekinna Stricklen
| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 34 | 30 | 18.8 | .430 | .430 | .857 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 6.6 |
| Morgan Tuck
| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 34 | 1 | 13.6 | .473 | .349 | .826 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 5.9 |
| Layshia Clarendon
| 15 | 0 | 15.9 | .492 | .000 | .826 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 5.4 |
| Rachel Banham
| 33 | 5 | 12.8 | .414 | .370 | .868 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 5.2 |
| Brionna Jones
| 27 | 0 | 9.0 | .469 | .000 | .727 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 3.1 |
| Betnijah Laney
| 29 | 0 | 9.3 | .471 | .111 | style="background:#D3D3D3;" | .909 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.7 |
| Lexie Brown
| 22 | 0 | 5.6 | .273 | .310 | .571 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.7 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://sun.wnba.com/ The Official Site of the Connecticut Sun]
{{Connecticut Sun navbox}}
{{2018 WNBA season by team}}