Sun Update: Still undefeated

The Connecticut Sun have pulled out three clutch wins in their first four games en route to a league-best 4-0 start. 

UNCASVILLE, CT — The Connecticut Sun have started the season with a 4-0 record, twice defeating the Indiana Fever, once beating the Washington Mystics and once edging out the Minnesota Lynx. They’ve yet to face the best teams in the league—namely the two-time defending champions Las Vegas Aces and the runner-up New York Liberty—but they’ve also clearly established themselves as one of the WNBA’s most elite teams through the first two weeks of the season.

The Sun have the second-best offensive rating in the league (108.3), third-best defensive rating (98), and second-best net rating (+10.8). Only the Liberty have a better net rating, aided by a 36-point victory over the Fever.

The Sun’s early-season success can be attributed to a confluence of factors, but it wouldn’t be fair to start anywhere other than the strong play of its two star players, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner. Here are three reasons why the Sun—one of the least talked about teams on a national stage—is the only undefeated team remaining in the WNBA.

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The (historically) well-rounded play of Alyssa Thomas

Last year’s MVP runner-up has had a great start to the season, averaging a near triple-double with 17 points per game, 10.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists, two steals and a block. Thomas—the WNBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles—had an unprecedented season of near triple-doubles last year, and has made it a point to maintain that same level of production this season.

With an influx of media in attendance for Caitlin Clark’s professional debut, Thomas recorded a triple-double on opening night in a blowout win against the Fever, and noted after the fact that she was motivated by the desire to prove last year’s near triple-double average was not a fluke.

Thomas was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from May 14th to 19th, the 10th time she’s been awarded the honor in her 11 year career. “It’s not a surprise to any of us that she keeps putting up these numbers,” Stephanie White said.

The timeless scoring of DeWanna Bonner

On opening night, 36-year-old DeWanna Bonner became the No. 5 all-time scorer in WNBA history, passing Candice Dupree. Despite being in her 15th season, Bonner is averaging a career-high 21 points per game on 46.9 percent shooting. She’s struggled on 3-pointers—shooting just 15 percent from beyond the arc through four games—but has otherwise maintained her scoring prowess. She’s tied for the No. 8 leading scorer in the WNBA this season, and has led the Sun in scoring in three of four games.

Bonner should be past her prime, but she’s seemingly gotten better throughout her years in the league. Her ability to continue producing at this high of a level will be critical to the Sun’s ability to continue racking up wins and ultimately compete for a championship.

Clutch-time heroics

The Sun have won each of their last three games by seven points or less after several consecutive slow stars. Since blowing out the Indiana Fever on opening night, the Sun have rattled off three close wins:

• May 17: 84-77 over the Washington Mystics
• May 20: 88-84 over the Fever
• May 23: 83-82 (OT) over the Minnesota Lynx

Against the Mystics, the Sun scored 15-straight points in the fourth quarter to pull away for good, ultimately outscoring Washington by 11 in the period. Connecticut held a two-point lead over Washington with 1:50 to go, when Tyasha Harris hit an and-one that DeWanna Bonner followed with a putback shot.

Facing off against the Fever for the second time, Bonner made a go-ahead layup off of a Thomas feed with 41 seconds to play. After Indiana tied it up with an Aliyah Boston pull-up, Harris drew a foul to hit two game-winning free throws. “I got to give it up to my teammates,” Harris said. “They instill confidence in me continuously, over and over and over again.

Then, against the Lynx, Rachel Banham made a 3-pointer to tie things up with 40 seconds remaining in overtime. Bonner ultimately hit a pair of free throws to win the game after Napheesa Collier responded for Minnesota. “I know that staff is super-confident in me and the staff and they put me in great positions to get easy looks and get open looks and I’m always willing to shoot it.” Banham said after opening night. “So I’m really grateful to be part of a system that lets me play very free.”

In all three close wins, Connecticut’s veteran experience and steadiness in crunch time helped them outduel their opponents. “We have a veteran group who understand execution in crunch-time situations,” White said. “We’ve got versatility, so we’re able to move players around.”