2022 Connecticut Sun season

The 2022 WNBA season was the 24th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It also was the 20th season for the franchise in Connecticut after relocating from Orlando. The season began on May 7, 2022, at the New York Liberty.[1]

2022 Connecticut Sun season
CoachCurt Miller
ArenaMohegan Sun Arena
Attendance5,712 per game
Results
Record25–11 (.694)
Place2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finish3rd seed; Lost in WNBA Finals to Las Vegas Aces
Team Leaders
PointsJonquel Jones – 14.6 ppg
ReboundsJonquel Jones – 8.6 rpg
AssistsAlyssa Thomas – 6.1 apg

Despite losing their first game of the season, the Sun won their next four games in a row. They then went 2–2 to finish out the month of May with a 6–3 record. They started June with a four-game winning streak and won six of their first seven games. However, they lost three of their last four in the month to finish with a 7–4 record. In July, the Sun won 3 of its first five, but then went on a four-game winning streak. The streak Chicago on the final day of the month. They finished 7–3 in the month and secured a spot in the post season on July 28. The Sun went on a tear in August, only losing one game, to eventual #2 seed Chicago, and finished the month with a 5–1 record. Their overall regular season record of 25–11 was one shy of tying a franchise record for wins. They were the third seed in the playoffs, finishiLas Vegas and Chicago. Brionna Jones was named the Sixth Player of the Year.

As the third seed they hosted a first round matchup against the sixth seeded Dallas. The Sun won the first game in commanding fashion, 93–68. However, they lost Game Two by ten points, forcing a Game Three in Dallas. The Sun controlled the game and won by 15 points to advance to the Semifinals. There they faced off against the second seeded Chicago Sky. Connecticut won the first game by five points in Chicago. They went on to lose games two and three and faced elimination in Game Four. The Sun won game four by 24 points to force a Game Five in Chicago. The Sun won by nine points and advanced to the 2022 WNBA Finals. They faced off against the first seeded, Las Veagas Aces. Las Vegas one the first two games in Connecticut, Game One by three points, and Game Two by fourteen. The Sun won game three in Las Vegas by 29 points, but couldn't carry the momentum into Game Four losing by seven points. The Aces won the series 3–1.

Transactions edit

WNBA draft edit

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/team/country
112Nia Clouden  United StatesMichigan State
224Jordan Lewis  United StatesBaylor
336Kiara Smith  United StatesFlorida

Trades and Roster Changes edit

DateDetails
January 1, 2022Extended Qualifying Offers to Natisha Hiedeman, Stephanie Jones, and Beatrice Mompremier[2]
January 3, 2022Signed Natisha Hiedeman to a Qualifying Offer [3]
January 4, 2022Signed Beatrice Mompremier to a Qualifying Offer [4]
January 10, 2022Extended Jonquel Jones a Core Qualifying Offer [5]
January 3, 2022Signed Stephanie Jones to a Qualifying Offer [6]
February 1, 2022Signed Jonquel Jones to a Two-Year Deal [7][8]
February 2, 2022Signed Courtney Williams to a Two-Year Deal [9][10]
Signed Taj Cole and Joyner Holmes to training-camp contracts[11]
February 22, 2022Signed Yvonne Anderson to a training-camp contract[12]
April 12, 2022Signed Alexus Dye, Delicia Washington and Aleksa Gulbe to training-camp contracts[13]
April 14, 2022Signed Nia Clouden and Jordan Lewis to rookie-scale contracts[14]
April 20, 2022Waived Alexus Dye, Delicia Washington, and Keyona Hayes[15]
April 27, 2022Waived Jordan Lewis[16]
May 2, 2022Waived Kaila Charles, Taj Cole, and Aleksa Gulbe[17][18]
May 4, 2022Waived Stephanie Jones and Beatrice Mompremier[19]
May 5, 2022Temporarily Suspend DeWanna Bonner due to Overseas Commitments
May 14, 2022Activated DeWanna Bonner from the Temporary Suspension List
May 31, 2022Signed Stephanie Jones to a Hardship Contract [20]
June 4, 2022Released Stephanie Jones from her Hardship Contract[21]
June 11, 2022Waived Yvonne Anderson[22]
June 15, 2022Signed Jazmine Jones[23]
June 24, 2022Waived Joyner Holmes and Jazmine Jones[24]
June 26, 2022Signed Joyner Holmes and Jazmine Jones to 7-day contracts[25]
July 3, 2022Signed Joyner Holmes and Jazmine Jones to their 2nd 7-day contracts[26]
July 13, 2022Signed Joyner Holmes and Jazmine Jones to their 3rd 7-day contracts
July 18, 2022Signed Bria Hartley[27]
July 21, 2022Signed Joyner Holmes[28]
July 27, 2022Signed Kiana Williams to a 7-day contract[29]
August 3, 2022Signed Odyssey Sims to a 7-day contract[30]
August 10, 2022Signed Odyssey Sims to a Hardship Contract[31]

Roster edit

2022 Connecticut Sun roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G/F24 Bonner, DeWanna6' 4" (1.93m)143 lb (65kg)1987-08-21Auburn12
G/F21 Carrington, DiJonai5' 11" (1.8m)175 lb (79kg)1998-01-08Baylor1
G11 Clouden, Nia5' 9" (1.75m)142 lb (64kg)05-17-2000Michigan StateR
G14 Hartley, Bria  5' 9" (1.75m)148 lb (67kg)09-30-1992Connecticut8
G2 Hiedeman, Natisha5' 8" (1.73m)135 lb (61kg)1997-02-10Marquette3
F8 Holmes, Joyner6' 3" (1.91m)210 lb (95kg)1998-02-22Texas2
F42 Jones, Brionna6' 3" (1.91m)230 lb (104kg)1995-12-18Maryland5
F35 Jones, Jonquel6' 6" (1.98m)190 lb (86kg)1994-01-05George Washington5
G1 Sims, Odyssey5' 8" (1.73m)155 lb (70kg)07-13-1992Baylor8
F25 Thomas, Alyssa6' 2" (1.88m)185 lb (84kg)1992-04-12Maryland8
G5 Thomas, Jasmine  5' 9" (1.75m)143 lb (65kg)1989-09-30Duke11
G10 Williams, Courtney5' 8" (1.73m)133 lb (60kg)1994-05-11South Florida6
Head coach
Curt Miller (Baldwin Wallace)
Assistant coaches
Brandi Poole (Sewanee)
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
CJonquel JonesBrionna Jones
PFAlyssa ThomasJoyner Holmes
SFDeWanna BonnerDiJonai Carrington
SGCourtney WilliamsNia Clouden
Bria Hartley
PGNatisha HiedemanOdyssey Sims
Jasmine Thomas

Schedule edit

Preseason edit

2022 pre-season game log
May: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 1AtlantaW 94–78Jonquel Jones (15)Carrington
B. Jones (6)
Jasmine Thomas (5)Mohegan Sun
3,244
1–0
2022 pre-season schedule

Regular Season edit

2022 game log
Total: 25–11 (Home: 13–5; Road: 12–6)
August: 5–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
31August 2PhoenixW 87–63Natisha Hiedeman (16)Alyssa Thomas (12)Alyssa Thomas (10)Mohegan Sun Arena
6,130
21–10
32August 4PhoenixW 77–64Jonquel Jones (14)Alyssa Thomas (13)Alyssa Thomas (6)Mohegan Sun Arena
6,215
22–10
33August 7@ ChicagoL 91–94DeWanna Bonner (18)Jonquel Jones (10)DeWanna Bonner (6)Wintrust Arena
8,224
22–11
34August 9@ Los AngelesW 97–71Jonquel Jones (21)Jonquel Jones (10)Alyssa Thomas (7)Crypto.com Arena
5,789
23–11
35August 11@ Los AngelesW 93–69Alyssa Thomas (18)Alyssa Thomas (9)DeWanna Bonner (7)Crypto.com Arena
4,987
24–11
36August 14MinnesotaW 90–83Alyssa Thomas (16)Alyssa Thomas (7)Hiedeman
A. Thomas (5)
Mohegan Sun Arena
7,489
25–11
2022 season schedule

Playoffs edit

2022 playoff game log
First Round vs. Dallas Wings
Won Series: 2–1
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1August 18DallasW 93–68Jonquel Jones (19)Alyssa Thomas (10)Alyssa Thomas (7)Mohegan Sun Arena
4,797
1–0
2August 24DallasL 79–89B. Jones
J. Jones (20)
Jonquel Jones (9)Alyssa Thomas (5)Mohegan Sun Arena
6,788
1–1
3August 24@ DallasW 73–58DeWanna Bonner (21)Jonquel Jones (10)DeWanna Bonner (5)College Park Center
5,016
2–1
Semifinals vs. Chicago Sky
Won Series: 3–2
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1August 28@ ChicagoW 68–63DeWanna Bonner (15)Alyssa Thomas (10)Alyssa Thomas (7)Wintrust Arena
8,955
1–0
2August 31@ ChicagoL 77–85Jonquel Jones (23)Alyssa Thomas (10)Alyssa Thomas (4)Wintrust Arena
8,311
1–1
3September 4ChicagoL 72–76DeWanna Bonner (18)Alyssa Thomas (13)Alyssa Thomas (7)Mohegan Sun Arena
9,142
1–2
4September 6ChicagoW 104–80Bonner
Williams (19)
Alyssa Thomas (8)Jonquel Jones (5)Mohegan Sun Arena
5,868
2–2
5September 8@ ChicagoW 72–63Bonner
J. Jones (15)
Thomas
J. Jones (10)
Alyssa Thomas (8)Wintrust Arena
8,014
3–2
Finals vs. Las Vegas Aces
Lost Series: 1–3
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 11@ Las VegasL 64–67Alyssa Thomas (19)Alyssa Thomas (11)Bonner
A. Thomas (5)
Michelob Ultra Arena
10,135
0–1
2September 13@ Las VegasL 71–85Courtney Williams (18)Jonquel Jones (11)Courtney Williams (5)Michelob Ultra Arena
10,211
0–2
3September 15Las VegasW 105–76Jonquel Jones (20)Alyssa Thomas (15)Alyssa Thomas (11)Mohegan Sun Arena
8,745
1–2
4September 18Las VegasL 71–78Courtney Williams (17)Alyssa Thomas (10)Alyssa Thomas (11)Mohegan Sun Arena
9,652
1–3
2022 playoff schedule

Standings edit

# W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1xLas Vegas Aces2610.72215–313–513–59–1
2xChicago Sky2610.72215–314–412–69–1
3xConnecticut Sun2511.6941.011–713–512–65–5
4xSeattle Storm2214.6114.010–813–59–96–4
5xWashington Mystics2214.6114.011–712–610–85–5
6xDallas Wings1818.5008.08–108–1010–85–5
7xNew York Liberty1620.44410.010–89–97–116–4
8xPhoenix Mercury1521.41711.07–1111–74–143–7
9eMinnesota Lynx1422.38912.08–107–117–114–6
10eAtlanta Dream1422.38912.05–138–106–123–7
11eLos Angeles Sparks1323.36113.06–127–116–123–7
12eIndiana Fever531.13921.02–163–152–162–8

Notes

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

Playoffs edit

Round One:
Best-of-3
Semifinals:
Best-of-5
Finals:
Best-of-5
         
1Las Vegas Aces2
8Phoenix Mercury0
1Las Vegas Aces3
4Seattle Storm1
4Seattle Storm2
5Washington Mystics0
1Las Vegas Aces3
3Connecticut Sun1
2Chicago Sky2
7New York Liberty1
2Chicago Sky2
3Connecticut Sun3
3Connecticut Sun2
6Dallas Wings1

Bold Series winner

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

Regular Season edit

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Jonquel Jones333226.4.513.369.8028.61.81.11.214.6
Brionna Jones36725.1.571.000.8445.11.31.20.413.8
DeWanna Bonner333330.0.439.329.8274.72.81.20.313.5
Alyssa Thomas363632.1.500.000.7308.26.11.70.213.4
Courtney Williams343427.9.426.338.7504.63.31.00.411.1
Natisha Hiedeman363125.0.431.411.8001.83.31.20.19.1
DiJonai Carrington36217.5.414.306.7503.11.10.80.16.8
Jasmine Thomas5521.8.267.385.9232.23.00.60.26.6
Odyssey Sims5018.2.333.2731.0001.22.61.40.05.8
Bria Hartley3012.0.455.500.0000.71.31.00.04.7
Yvonne Anderson1109.2.462.4001.0000.81.10.30.23.2
Nia Clouden2808.9.340.414.5880.80.80.20.02.1
Joyner Holmes2607.9.311.227.7691.30.50.30.12.0
Stephanie Jones204.0.000.0001.0000.00.50.00.01.0
Jazmine Jones706.3.286.000.4000.10.10.30.00.9
Kiana Williams103.0.000.000.0000.00.00.00.00.0


Waived/Released during the season
Traded during the season
Acquired during the season

Playoffs edit

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Jonquel Jones121227.0.507.414.8298.42.00.61.114.9
Alyssa Thomas121233.5.474.000.5769.56.31.50.712.3
DeWanna Bonner121231.5.341.294.8865.83.61.50.712.2
Courtney Williams121227.1.415.318.6673.92.30.60.510.3
Brionna Jones12021.3.522.000.7114.01.30.90.310.6
Natisha Hiedeman121226.2.419.444.7692.13.00.70.38.2
DiJonai Carrington12014.6.450.231.7002.70.81.00.25.9
Odyssey Sims12013.8.436.286.8751.51.30.40.03.6
Nia Clouden704.6.444.5001.0000.30.70.30.01.9
Joyner Holmes704.1.500.0001.0001.30.70.10.04.1

Awards and honors edit

RecipientAwardDate awardedRef.
Alyssa ThomasEastern Conference Player of the WeekMay 23[32]
July 25[33]
Eastern Conference Player of the Month - MayJune 1[34]
Eastern Conference Player of the Month - JulyAugust 2[35]
WNBA All-Star SelectionJune 28[36]
All-Defensive Second TeamAugust 30[37]
All-WNBA Second TeamSeptember 15[38]
Jonquel JonesEastern Conference Player of the WeekJune 6[39]
WNBA All-Star StarterJune 22[40]
All-Defensive Second TeamAugust 30[37]
All-WNBA Second TeamSeptember 15[38]
Brionna JonesWNBA All-Star SelectionJune 28[36]
Sixth Player of the YearSeptember 1[41]

References edit

  1. ^ "2022 Connecticut Sun Schedule". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  2. ^ "Rachel Galligan Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  3. ^ "Natisha Hiedeman Accepts Qualifying Offer, Returning to the Connecticut Sun for a Fourth Year". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  4. ^ "Beatrice Mompremier Accepts Qualifying Offer, Returning to Connecticut". sun.wnba.acom. WNBA. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  5. ^ "Rachel Galligan Tweet 2". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  6. ^ "Stephanie Jones Accepts Qualifying Offer, Returning to Connecticut". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  7. ^ "WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones Returns to Connecticut". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "Gabe Ibrahim Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "Courtney Williams Returns to the Connecticut Sun". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "Richard Cohen Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  11. ^ "Sun Sign Taja Cole & Joyner Holmes to training-camp contracts". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  12. ^ "Yvonne Anderson Accepts training-camp contract, Joins Connecticut". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "Alexus Dye, Delicia Washington and Aleksa Gulbe to Come to Connecticut Sun's Training Camp". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "Connecticut Sun Finalizes 2022 Training Camp Roster". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  15. ^ "Connecticut Sun Waives Dye, Hayes and Washington". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "Connecticut Sun Waives Jordan Lewis". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  17. ^ "Connecticut Waives Kaila Charles". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  18. ^ "Connecticut Waives Taj Cole and Aleksa Gulbe". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  19. ^ "Connecticut Waives Beatrice Mompremier and Stephanie Jones". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  20. ^ "Connecticut Signs Stephanie Jones to Hardship Contract". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  21. ^ "ROSTER UPDATE: Joyner Holmes has been cleared to return from health and safety protocols, and will be active against Seattle on Sunday. In a corresponding move, Stephanie Jones has been released from her hardship contract. #CTSun". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  22. ^ "Connecticut Waives Yvonne Anderson". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  23. ^ "Connecticut Signs Jazmine Jones". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  24. ^ Connecticut Sun [@ConnecticutSun] (June 24, 2022). "ROSTER UPDATE: The Connecticut Sun have waived Jazmine Jones and Joyner Holmes. #CTSun" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Connecticut Sun [@ConnecticutSun] (June 26, 2022). "ROSTER UPDATE: The Connecticut Sun have signed Jazmine Jones and Joyner Holmes to 7-day contracts. #CTSun" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Connecticut Sun [@ConnecticutSun] (July 3, 2022). "ROSTER UPDATE: The Connecticut Sun have signed Jazmine Jones and Joyner Holmes to 7-day contracts. #CTSun#" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "Connecticut Signs Bria Hartley". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  28. ^ Connecticut Sun [@ConnecticutSun] (July 21, 2022). "ROSTER UPDATE: The Connecticut Sun have signed Joyner Holmes to a rest of season contract. #CTSun" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "Connecticut Signs Kiana Williams". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  30. ^ "Connecticut Signs Odyssey Sims". sun.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  31. ^ Connecticut Sun [@ConnecticutSun] (August 10, 2022). "ROSTER UPDATE: The Connecticut Sun have signed Odyssey Sims to a rest of season contract. #CTSun" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ^ @WNBA (May 23, 2022). ".@athomas_25 (Eastern) and @JackieYoung3 (Western) are your #WNBA Players of the Week for Week 2! 🏀 #MoreThan" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ^ @WNBA (July 25, 2022). "Players of the Week are in! ⤵ A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) and Alyssa Thomas (@athomas_25) have just been on another level 🔥" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ @WNBA (June 1, 2022). "Safe to say @_ajawilson22 and @athomas_25 have been BALLING. With multiple dominant performances to lead their teams to 🔥 starts, they are taking home @kia WNBA Player of the Month honors. 👏" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. ^ @WNBA (August 2, 2022). "Balling all month long! 🤩 A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) & Alyssa Thomas (@athomas_25) are your WNBA @Kia Players of the Month 👏" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. ^ a b "Chicago Sky Trio of Kahleah Copper, Emma Meesseman, Courtney Vandersloot Highlight Reserves for AT&T WNBA All-Star 2022". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  37. ^ a b @WNBA (August 30, 2022). "Your 2022 #WNBA All-Defensive Second Team ⬇️ @athomas_25 @ezimagbegor @jus242 @BrittBundlez @gabbywilliams15 #MoreThan" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  38. ^ a b "Kia WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson Leads 2022 All-WNBA First Team" (Press release). WNBA. September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  39. ^ @WNBA (June 6, 2022). "Is anyone surprised?!🤧 KP & reigning MVP @jus242 are your Western & Eastern Conference WNBA Players of the Week. WELL DESERVED👏" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ "AT&T WNBA All-Star Starters Announced With Seattle Storm's Sue Bird Extending Record-Number of All-Star Selections to 13". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  41. ^ "Connecticut's Brionna Jones Named 2022 Kia WNBA Sixth Player of the Year" (Press release). WNBA. September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.

External links edit