WNBA Connecticut Sun

Alyssa Thomas Makes WNBA and Franchise History in Sun's 96-72 Win over Sky

Published on June 25, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release


Uncasville, CT - Today, the Connecticut Sun defeated the Chicago Sky, 96-72, picking up their 12th win of the season.

The Sun was led by Alyssa Thomas who tallied a triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. This marks her fourth career triple-double in the regular season, moving her past Candace Parker and Sabrina Ionescu into first all-time in triple-doubles in league history.

Thomas also moved into first all-time in rebounding in Connecticut Sun history (1,822). She passed Sun legend, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who had held the record for 17 years (1,814).

DeWanna Bonner also made history in today's win, moving into ninth all-time in scoring in league history, passing Katie Smith. She now has 6,454 points in her career.

1Q- The Sun trailed the Sky, 14-11, heading into the first media timeout of the contest. Thomas led Connecticut with four points in the first four minutes of the contest. The Sun finished the quarter on a 15-13 run to cut the Sky's lead to one, 27-26, heading into the second. Bonner tallied 10 points in the first to lead Connecticut.

2Q- Connecticut opened the second quarter on a 9-4 spurt to take a four-point lead, 35-31, with 5:48 remaining in the half. DiJonai Carrington, Ty Harris and Olivia Nelson-Ododa all scored baskets off the bench in that stretch to help give the Sun the advantage. The Sun continued to push pace, going on a 7-2 run out of that timeout to push their lead up to nine, 42-33, with 4:25 to go in the half.

The Sun led 54-42 at the break, outscoring the Sky, 28-15, in the second quarter. Bonner led Connecticut in scoring with 12 points, while Thomas finished the half with 10 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. The Sun's 54 first half points marked a new season high.

3Q- Chicago opened the second half on an 8-4 run to cut Connecticut's lead to eight, 58-50, with 7:42 remaining in the third. The Sun finished the third quarter on a 19-13 run to push the lead back to 14, 77-63, heading into the fourth. Thomas achieved her triple-double at the 1:22 mark with an assist to Carrington.

4Q- The fourth quarter belonged to the Sun, who outscored the Sky, 19-9, in the ten minutes to close the game. Carrington tallied six of her 17 points to lead Connecticut in scoring in the quarter.

Chicago was led by Kahleah Copper who notched 29 points, seven rebounds and two assists in the effort.

Connecticut shot 50% (40-80) from the field, while holding Chicago to 44.6% (29-65) from the floor on the day.

Sun Notes:

The Sun tallied season-highs in points (96), field goals (40), assists (30) and steals (tied- 12) in today's win.

With two steals in the game, DeWanna Bonner moved into 13th all-time in steals in league history, passing Yolanda Griffith.

DiJonai Carrington tied her career-highs in rebounds (7) and assists (4), along with tallying 17 points and two steals.

The Sun outscored the Sky in the paint (54-38), in second-chance points (11-9), on the fast break (23-11) and from the bench (26-5).

Team Score Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 PTS REB AST

CON 96 26 28 23 19 Bonner- 26 Thomas- 11 Thomas- 12

CHI 72 27 15 21 9 Copper- 29 Copper- 7 C. Williams, Evans & Mabrey- 5

NEXT GAME: The Connecticut Sun are back home to host the New York Liberty on Tuesday, June 27 at 7:00 PM EST at Mohegan Sun Arena.

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