One down, one to go.
The Connecticut Sun took the first game of a back-to-back series against the Los Angeles Sparks, winning 76-72 on Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena. A high-flying Sparks offense didn’t make it easy on them at first, but some late-game heroics from Brionna Jones helped the Sun earn the win.
The Sun won their seventh consecutive game, and now are 19-6 on the season. The Sparks drop to 10-15.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
This one was closer than it had to be, and the Sun realized that in the second half.
Entering Thursday, the Sun limited opponents to a 41.0 field goal percentage, tied with the Las Vegas Aces for the best in the league. The Sparks, who entered tied for last place in the Western Conference, shot an impressive 51.7 percent from the field in the first half while the Sun were just hitting 36.7 percent from the floor.
The Sun had a dominant first quarter, taking a 20-10 lead into the break. It looked as though they would pick up right where they left off with an opening bucket to make it a 12-point deficit for the Sparks, who quickly battled back. They took over the lead in the second quarter, and while the Sun reclaimed it, it was a three-point game at the half.
Coming out of the break, Connecticut got the first four points of the second half, the Sparks went on an 11-0 run. That seemed to exhaust them, though, as the Sun came back to take this one in hand.
Things got back on track in the end as the Sparks finished with 47.4 shooting from the field, but an impressive bench performance and tons of energy from LA had Sun fans everywhere holding their breath here.
STARS OF THE GAME
— Have a night, Brionna Jones. With star Jonquel Jones in foul trouble, her role became even more important as the Sparks encroached near the end of the game. She finished with a game-high 23 points with six rebounds and two assists.
— As for Jonquel Jones, who was held to a season-low eight points in the Sun’s defeat of the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday, she came right back to life on Thursday. By the break, she was flirting with a double-double at 12 points and seven rebounds, and later secured it. She finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
— Erica Wheeler was all over the place for the Sparks. Her 11 points, five assists and three rebounds helped keep Los Angeles in it in the first half. While she was held scoreless in the third, any hope the Sparks had of taking this one after the first quarter was all her. She finished with 13 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
WAGER WATCH
The Sun entered the first game of the back-to-back series as an 11.5-point favorite with the total set at 146.5 points, via FanDuel Sportsbook. Connecticut came up short of covering while those who bet the under, despite being on the edge of their seats, were able to cash in. Those who took the over, though, were dealt a tough beat.
ON DECK AT NESN
The Sun and Sparks will meet again on Saturday while coverage of the game will air on NESN+ beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
