Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
Brionna Jones wrecked shop on the Indiana Fever on Thursday.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Darron Cummings/AP.)
I think the Connecticut Sun are becoming more and more terrifying.
Jonquel Jones was considered the MVP before she left overseas (but she’s back now and she could very well regain consideration). DeWanna Bonner is a scoring machine. If Alyssa Thomas were there, she’d be an indestructible defensive force.
Maybe Thomas’s absence gave way for Brionna Jones to continue her growth as a player.
In the Wubble last year, she more than tripled her scoring output (as well as minutes) as she averaged 11.2 points and 5.6 boards per game. She also had 1.7 steals on the other end. Brionna was becoming a force on both ends of the floor.
This year? Even better. After Thursday, she raised her production to 15.5 points and 6.7 rebounds. Against the Indiana Fever, she showed her entire repertoire.
On the pick-and-roll, she slithers away for either a cut to the basket or a quick pop from the midrange. In the post, she is very skillful on sealing her opponent before going in for a turnaround hook or a lay-up. Overall, she went 14 for 19 from the floor and a career-best 34 points. It seems like she can turn the “big 3” into a “big 4” for the Connecticut Sun.
She could very well be in the race now for Most Improved Player. And this year, Brionna was selected as an all-star for the first time in her career. If this keeps up, the Sun could very well challenge for the crown against current incumbents Seattle and Las Vegas. And this was a semifinals team last year.
So when we talk Conneticut Sun, not only do we have to bring up Jonquel Jones, DeWanna Bonner, and Alyssa Thomas but we also have to talk about Brionna Jones, whose improvement has exponentially made the Sun a better team.
WNBA Scoreboard
July 1, 2021
Watch This Play
I love me a good pick-and-roll. DeWanna Bonner and all-star Brionna Jones get it done.
That’s just beautiful basketball 🏀
📺 https://t.co/pgYmShdA5k pic.twitter.com/Qe5NNBul6a
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 1, 2021
And the Sun are now rolling with their full squad back.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the WNBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.