2021 Connecticut Sun season

The 2021 WNBA season was the 23rd season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It was also the 19th season for the franchise in Connecticut. The season began on May 14, 2021, at the Atlanta Dream.[1]

2021 Connecticut Sun season
CoachCurt Miller
ArenaMohegan Sun Arena
Attendance2,992 per game
Results
Record26–6 (.813)
Place1st (Eastern)
Playoff finish1st seed, Lost in Semifinals to Phoenix Mercury 2–3
Team Leaders
PointsJonquel Jones – 19.4 ppg
ReboundsJonquel Jones – 11.2 rpg
AssistsJasmine Thomas – 4.0 apg

The Sun started the season strongly and went on a five-game winning streak before losing their first game. They lost two of their last three games in May to finish with a strong 6–2 record in that month. The month of June was streaky for the Sun, with a three-game losing streak book-ended by a two-game winning streak and a three-game winning streak. Those streaks left the team with a 5–3 record in June. The Sun went 3–1 in July, the last month before the Olympic break. The team headed into the Olympic break with a 14–6 overall record.

The first game back from the Olympic break was the inaugural WNBA Commissioner's Cup, where the Sun faced off against the Seattle Storm in Phoenix. The game was difficult for the Sun and they lost 57–79. However, this result would not portend the rest of the team's results after the Olympic break. The Sun won their remaining seven games in August to finish the month with a 7–0 regular season record. Their dominance continued into September where the Sun went 5–0, to finish the season on a thirteen-game winning streak. Their final regular season record was 26–6, which earned them the top seed in the 2021 WNBA Playoffs. Their 26 wins was tied for the most regular season wins in franchise history with 2005 and 2006.

As the first seed in the playoffs, the Sun earned a double bye into the Semifinals and would have home-court advantage against the lowest remaining seed from the second round. After the second round, it was determined that the Sun would play the Chicago Sky. The series started off with a thrilling double overtime game that the Sun dropped 95–101. The Sun won the next game 79–68 to take a 1–1 series into Chicago. Chicago used their home court to their advantage and won the next two games and the series 3–1.

WNBA Draft edit

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/Team/Country
220DiJonai Carrington  United StatesBaylor
221Micaela Kelly  United StatesCentral Michigan
330Aleah Goodman  United StatesOregon State

Trades/Roster Changes edit

DateDetails
January 4, 2021Extended Qualifying Offer to Natisha Hiedeman[2]
January 5, 2021Extended Qualifying Offers to Brionna Jones and Beatrice Mompremier[3]
January 7, 2021Signed Natisha Hiedeman to the Qualifying Offer[4]
January 10, 2021Signed Beatrice Mompremier to the Qualifying Offer[5]
February 1, 2021Signed Kamiah Smalls to a Training Camp Contract[6]
February 2, 2021Re-Signed Alyssa Thomas[7]
February 4, 2021Re-Signed Jasmine Thomas[8]
February 5, 2021Re-Signed Brionna Jones[9]
February 6, 2021Signed Sydney Wallace to a Training Camp Contract[10]
February 15, 2021Signed Morgan Bertsch to a Training Camp Contract[11]
March 28, 2021Signed Stephanie Jones to a Training Camp Contract[12]
April 9, 2021Signed Tanaya Atkinson to a Training Camp Contract[13]
April 16, 2021Signed Teana Muldrow to a Training Camp Contract[14]
April 17, 2021Signed DiJonai Carrington, Micaela Kelly, and Aleah Goodman to Rookie Scale Contracts.[15]
Signed Feyonda Fitzgerald, Vionise Pierre-Louis, and Kai James to Training Camp Contracts.[16]
April 18, 2021Signed Brianna Fraser to a Training Camp Contract[17]
April 17, 2021Waived Sydney Wallace, Vionise Pierre-Louis, Teana Muldrow, and Kai James.[18]
May 2, 2021Waived Tanaya Atkinson.[19]
May 9, 2021Waived Micaela Kelly, Feyonda Fitzgerald, and Morgan Bertsch.[20]
May 11, 2021Waived Aleah Goodman and Brianna Fraser.[21]
May 12, 2021Waived Kamiah Smalls.[22]
Temporarily Suspended Jasmine Thomas.[23]
May 14, 2021Signed Aleah Goodman to a Hardship Contract.[24]
May 17, 2021Activate Jasmine Thomas from Temporary Suspension List.[25]
Released Aleah Goodman from Hardship Contract.
May 21, 2021Signed Shatori Walker-Kimbrough to a Hardship Contract.[26]
May 28, 2021Released Shatori Walker-Kimbrough from the Hardship Contract.[27]
June 6, 2021Temporarily Suspend Jonquel Jones due to Overseas Commitments[28]
June 7, 2021Signed Emma Cannon to a Hardship Contract[29]
June 27, 2021Release Emma Cannon from the Hardship Contract[30]
June 29, 2021Activate Jonquel Jones from Temporary Suspension[31]

Roster edit

2021 Connecticut Sun roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G/F24 Bonner, DeWanna6' 4" (1.93m)143 lb (65kg)1987-08-21Auburn11
G/F21 Carrington, DiJonai5' 11" (1.8m)175 lb (79kg)1998-01-08BaylorR
G/F3 Charles, Kaila6' 1" (1.85m)167 lb (76kg)1998-03-23Maryland1
G2 Hiedeman, Natisha5' 8" (1.73m)135 lb (61kg)1997-02-10Marquette2
G20 January, Briann5' 8" (1.73m)144 lb (65kg)1987-01-11Arizona State12
F42 Jones, Brionna6' 3" (1.91m)230 lb (104kg)1995-12-18Maryland4
F35 Jones, Jonquel6' 6" (1.98m)190 lb (86kg)1994-01-05George Washington4
F4 Jones, Stephanie6' 3" (1.91m)185 lb (84kg)1998-07-10MarylandR
F1 Mompremier, Beatrice6' 4" (1.93m)190 lb (86kg)1996-08-08Miami (FL)1
F25 Thomas, Alyssa6' 2" (1.88m)185 lb (84kg)1992-04-12Maryland6
G5 Thomas, Jasmine5' 9" (1.75m)143 lb (65kg)1989-09-30Duke9
Head coach
Curt Miller (Baldwin Wallace)
Assistant coaches
Brandi Poole
Chris Koclanes
Athletic trainer
Nicole Alexander
Strength and conditioning coach
Analisse Rios

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Depth Chart edit

Pos.StarterBench
PGJasmine ThomasNatisha Hiedeman
SGBriann JanuaryKaila Charles
SFDeWanna BonnerDiJonai Carrington
PFJonquel JonesAlyssa Thomas
Stephanie Jones
CBrionna JonesBeatrice Mompremier

Game log edit

Preseason edit

2021 pre-season game log
May: 1–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 3New YorkScrimmageMohegan Sun Arena
0
0–0
2May 8@ DallasW 89–76Brionna Jones (22)Brionna Jones (9)Aleah Goodman (5)College Park Center
1–0
2021 pre-season schedule

Regular season edit

2021 game log
Total: 26–6 (Home: 15–1; Road: 11–5)
July: 3–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
17July 1@ IndianaW 86–80Brionna Jones (34)Bonner
B. Jones (7)
Jasmine Thomas (7)Bankers Life Fieldhouse
No Fans
12–5
18July 3@ IndianaL 67–73Jonquel Jones (16)Jonquel Jones (9)Bonner
Charles (4)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
No Fans
12–6
19July 9AtlantaW 84–72Jonquel Jones (24)Jonquel Jones (16)Hiedeman (5)Mohegan Sun Arena
2,286
13–6
20July 11@ New YorkW 71–54Jonquel Jones (17)Jonquel Jones (17)Jonquel Jones (5)Barclays Center
1,988
14–6
September: 5–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 3–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
28September 7@ DallasW 83–56Brionna Jones (18)Brionna Jones (10)Jasmine Thomas (6)College Park Center
1,945
22–6
29September 9@ Los AngelesW 75–57Jonquel Jones (21)Jonquel Jones (14)DeWanna Bonner (5)Staples Center
1,695
23–6
30September 11@ PhoenixW 76–67Jasmine Thomas (17)Jonquel Jones (16)Briann January (5)Footprint Center
9,811
24–6
31September 15New YorkW 98–69Bonner
J. Jones (18)
Jonquel Jones (13)Natisha Hiedeman (5)Mohegan Sun Arena
4,012
25–6
32September 19AtlantaW 84–64Natisha Hiedeman (16)Brionna Jones (12)Briann January (4)Mohegan Sun Arena
4,724
26–6
2021 season schedule

Playoffs edit

2021 playoff game log
Total: 1–3
Semifinals
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 28ChicagoL 95–101 (2OT)Jonquel Jones (26)Jonquel Jones (11)January
J. Jones (4)
Mohegan Sun Arena
4,720
0–1
2September 30ChicagoW 79–68Bonner
A. Thomas (15)
Alyssa Thomas (11)Alyssa Thomas (6)Mohegan Sun Arena
6,088
1–1
3October 3@ ChicagoL 83–86DeWanna Bonner (22)Jonquel Jones (10)Jasmine Thomas (6)Wintrust Arena
7,421
1–2
4October 6@ ChicagoL 69–79Jonquel Jones (25)Jonquel Jones (11)Alyssa Thomas (4)Wintrust Arena
2021 playoff schedule

Standings edit

#Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1xConnecticut Sun266.81312–315–111–59–1
2xLas Vegas Aces248.750211–413–311–56–4
3xMinnesota Lynx2210.688410–513–39–77–3
4xSeattle Storm2111.65659–611–510–68–2
5xPhoenix Mercury1913.59476–97–912–45–5
6xChicago Sky1616.5001010–56–1010–66–4
7xDallas Wings1418.438127–87–97–93–7
8xNew York Liberty1220.375146–97–95–115–5
9eWashington Mystics1220.375147–88–84–124–6
10eLos Angeles Sparks1220.375142–138–84–121–9
11eAtlanta Dream824.250186–94–124–124–6
12eIndiana Fever626.188204–114–122–142–8

Notes

(#) – League Standing
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings


Playoffs edit

First round
Sept. 23
Second round
Sept. 26
Semifinals
Sept. 28 – Oct. 8
WNBA Finals
Oct. 10 – Oct. 17
2Las Vegas Aces9691609384
4Seattle Storm805Phoenix Mercury90117877687
5Phoenix Mercury835Phoenix Mercury85OT5Phoenix Mercury7791OT5074
8New York Liberty826Chicago Sky91868680
1Connecticut Sun95798369
3Minnesota Lynx766Chicago Sky1012OT688679
6Chicago Sky816Chicago Sky89
7Dallas Wings64

Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

Statistics edit

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game
 APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage TO Turnovers per game
 PF Fouls per gameTeam leaderLeague leader

Source:[32]

Regular Season edit

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Jonquel Jones272731.751.536.280.211.22.81.31.319.4
DeWanna Bonner323231.939.531.789.26.43.41.30.715.2
Brionna Jones323230.657.10.079.67.31.81.40.514.7
Jasmine Thomas303029.638.640.087.52.44.01.30.210.6
Natisha Hiedeman32520.140.039.870.01.81.90.80.27.6
Briann January292930.242.538.086.81.43.10.90.17.0
Alyssa Thomas2017.526.70.075.05.02.00.50.05.5
Kaila Charles30416.336.830.387.52.81.10.50.44.3
DiJonai Carrington2419.232.914.373.32.00.50.50.12.8
Beatrice Mompremier3208.649.10.041.72.40.20.40.31.8
Stephanie Jones1805.541.10.050.01.20.20.10.11.4

Awards and honors edit

RecipientAwardDate awardedRef.
Jonquel JonesEastern Conference Player of the MonthJune 2[33]
Eastern Conference Player of the WeekJune 7[34]
DeWanna BonnerJune 28[35]
Brionna JonesWNBA All-Star SelectionJune 30[36]
Jonquel Jones
DeWanna Bonner
Brionna JonesEastern Conference Player of the WeekJuly 6[37]
Jonquel Jones yayEastern Conference Player of the WeekJuly 12[38]
August 23[39]
Brionna JonesEastern Conference Player of the WeekAugust 30[40]
Jonquel JonesEastern Conference Player of the MonthSeptember 2[41]
Curt MillerWNBA Coach of the Month – August[42]
Jonquel JonesEastern Conference Player of the WeekSeptember 6[43]
Curt MillerWNBA Coach of the Month – SeptemberSeptember 20[44]
Jonquel JonesEastern Conference Player of the Month[45]
Peak Performer: Rebounds[46]
Briann JanuaryWNBA All-Defensive First TeamSeptember 26[47]
Jonquel Jones
Jasmine ThomasWNBA All-Defensive Second Team
Brionna Jones
Jonquel JonesWNBA MVPSeptember 28[48]
Brionna JonesWNBA Most Improved Player[49]
Curt MillerCoach of the Year Award[50]
Jonquel JonesAll-WNBA First TeamOctober 15[51]

References edit

  1. ^ "2021 Connecticut Sun Schedule". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  2. ^ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. January 4, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  3. ^ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. January 5, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  4. ^ "Natisha Hiedeman signs qualifying offer". thenext.substack.com. The Next. January 8, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  5. ^ "Winisdr Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. January 10, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "Connecticut Sun Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. February 1, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  7. ^ "Alyssa Thomas returns to the Sun on multi-year contract". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. February 2, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  8. ^ "Jasmine Thomas inks multi-year contract with Connecticut". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. February 4, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  9. ^ "Connecticut remains home for Brionna Jones". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. February 5, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  10. ^ "Connecticut Sun Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. February 6, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  11. ^ "Connecticut Sun Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. February 15, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  12. ^ "Sisters Brionna and Stephanie Jones reunite in Connecticut Sun training camp". ctpost.com. CT Post. May 7, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "Connecticut Sun Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. April 9, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  14. ^ "Former Mountaineer Muldrow invited to training camp with Connecticut Sun". wdtv.com. WDTV. April 19, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. April 17, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  16. ^ "Connecticut Sun Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. April 17, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  17. ^ "Sun have few openings, little cap space". theday.com. The Day. April 24, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  18. ^ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. April 28, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  19. ^ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. May 2, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
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  22. ^ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. May 12, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
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  24. ^ "Hoopfeed Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. May 14, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  25. ^ "Connecticut Sun parts ways with former Oregon State star Aleah Goodman". nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. May 17, 2021. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  26. ^ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. May 21, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  27. ^ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. May 28, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  28. ^ "Jones to Compete in FIBA Women's EuroBasket". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  29. ^ "Connecticut Signs Cannon". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
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  31. ^ "Transactions – Player Movement". acrossthetimeline.com. Across The Timeline. June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  32. ^ "Stats - Connecticut Sun". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  33. ^ "Kia WNBA Players of the Month – May: Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones". wnba.com. WNBA. June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  34. ^ "Jonquel Jones and Jewell Loyd Named Week 3 Players Of The Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  35. ^ "Bonner, Fowles Earn Player of the Week Honors (Week 6)". wnba.com. WNBA. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  36. ^ "Rosters Set for AT&T WNBA All-Star 2021 on July 14". wnba.com. WNBA. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
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  38. ^ "WNBA Players of the Week: Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones". wnba.com. WNBA. July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  39. ^ "WNBA Players of the Week: Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones". wnba.com. WNBA. August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  40. ^ "WNBA Players of the Week: Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brionna Jones". wnba.com. WNBA. August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
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  42. ^ "Kia WNBA Coach of the Month (August): Curt Miller". wnba.com. WNBA. September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  43. ^ "Week 11 Players of the Week: Jonquel Jones (Eastern) and Brittney Griner (Western)". wnba.com. WNBA. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  44. ^ "Coach of the Month, September: Curt Miller". wnba.com. WNBA. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  45. ^ "Kia WNBA Players of the Month: Jonquel Jones and Kelsey Plum". wnba.com. WNBA. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  46. ^ "2021 WNBA Peak Performers: Tina Charles, Jonquel Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot". wnba.com. WNBA. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  47. ^ Voepel, Mechelle (September 26, 2021). "Minnesota Lynx star Sylvia Fowles named WNBA Defensive Player of Year for 4th time in career". ESPN. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  48. ^ "Connecticut Sun's Jonquel Jones Named 2021 Kia Most Valuable Player". wnba.com. WNBA. September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  49. ^ "Connecticut Sun Brionna Jones Named 2021 KIA Most Improved Player". wnba.com. WNBA. September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  50. ^ "Connecticut Sun Head Coach Curt Miller Named 2021 Coach Of the Year". wnba.com. WNBA. September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  51. ^ "The 2021 All-WNBA First & Second Team Announced". wnba.com. WNBA. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.

External links edit