Connecticut Sun Fall Late at Home to Chicago Sky, 78-66

Marina Mabrey (No. 3) of the Connecticut Sun had a 22-point performance against the Chicago Sky at Mohegan Sun Arena. (Photo: Joe Buglewic | /Getty Images)

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — With a raucous Father’s Day crowd behind them at Mohegan Sun Arena, the Connecticut Sun couldn’t capitalize on an early lead and steady contributions from Marina Mabrey, Jacy Sheldon and Tina Charles in a 78–66 loss to the Chicago Sky on Sunday afternoon.

The loss dropped Connecticut to 2–8 on the season, their fourth straight defeat. The Sky improved to 3–7 behind a historic performance from sophomore Angel Reese and a season-best effort off the bench from Hailey Van Lith.

Reese, just 23, recorded her first career triple-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. She became the second-youngest player in WNBA history to accomplish the feat, joining Candace Parker in elite rookie company. The Sky also got 16 points and five rebounds from Van Lith, who helped turn the game in Chicago’s favor with a commanding fourth-quarter push.

The Sky bench overwhelmed Connecticut’s limited bench by a 36–2 margin. Chicago also shot 94.4 percent from the free-throw line and out-assisted the Sun, 20–15.

The Sun opened strong with Mabrey, who finished with 22 points and five three-pointers, igniting an 8–0 run to start the game. Sheldon and Charles each knocked down early looks, and Connecticut’s energy on both ends translated into a 16–14 lead after one quarter.

But the offensive rhythm was short-lived. Despite shooting 40 percent from the field in the first half, Connecticut committed six turnovers in the second quarter and struggled to rotate defensively as Chicago’s reserves found their footing. A 10–0 Sky run late in the second, punctuated by a halfcourt buzzer-beater from Kia Nurse, sent Chciago into the locker room with a 38–36 edge.

“We take ourselves out of the game when we slow our offense down,” Mabrey said. “Every time that we slow our offense down, we create more turnovers for ourselves. Our spacing isn’t as good and then we’re back in transition defense and it’s been really hard for us in transition defense.

“We have to clean that up. I think it starts with me being more assertive at the one, making sure that I poise the team and calm us down and make sure that we get the ball where we want it to go and get it from side to side. So that’s on me for sure.”

Despite a solid third quarter in which Charles and Sheldon combined for 13 points, the Sun trailed by five entering the fourth. The game unraveled in the final frame, where the Sky opened with an 8–2 run fueled by Van Lith and Reese. The Sun went nearly five minutes without a made field goal, and the Sky ballooned their lead to double digits.

Sheldon, who had 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, said the team’s preparation was strong, but execution faltered in key moments.

Jacy Sheldon No. 4) had one of her finest games in a Connecticut Sun uniform on both ends of the floor against the Chicago Sky. (Photo: Chris Marion | NBAE via Getty Images)

“The practice leading up to this, we practiced really hard, prepared really well,” Sheldon said. “And I think we’ve honestly executed our plan [for a] majority of the game and broke down a little bit defensively towards the end there in the second half.

“At the end of the day, we still have a lot to get better on and improve on. And I think that starts sometimes with me on the defensive end and pressuring. I think I waited a little too long to do that. But I think just looking ahead and looking forward, it’s about continuing to prepare ourselves and, like Marina mentioned, just continuing to get better.”

Meziane praised Sheldon’s growth, particularly in her first season with an expanded role in the starting lineup.

“She’s one of the most consistent players,” he said. “She did a very good training camp and her first games were very good. She had some troubles when we start our season. But since the [last] two or three games, I think that she responds well. She brings her energy. She’s playing more and more.

“Today, she’s a good example through her energy and how she fought. So I hope that her teammates around her can see what she did and just do the same thing.”

While Charles added 19 points on 8-of-20 shooting, she was limited in the fourth quarter due to foul trouble. Olivia Nelson-Ododa grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds, and Bria Hartley dished out five assists to go along with six points. But outside of the starting five, Connecticut received just two points from the bench — both from Kariata Diaby.

Mabrey said the team must do a better job understanding momentum and situational awareness, especially in close games.

Tina Charles (No. 31) turned in a gritty performance for the Connecticut Sun against the Chicago Sky. (Photo: Joe Buglewicz | Getty Images)

“Collectively as a team, we have to be able to recognize the flow of the game,” she said. “Did we just turn it over twice? Did we just make two shots? Did Tina just get the ball inside twice? Do we need to go back to Tina? Did I just get two threes off? Did Jacy get to the rim?

“I think we need to do a better job of recognizing what’s going on in the flow of the game and what the team needs.”

The Sky, who had lost three straight prior to Sunday’s game, looked energized behind Reese and Van Lith. Chicago shot 42.9 percent overall and outrebounded the Sun 38–32. Nurse scored 11 points on perfect shooting, while Kamilla Cardoso and Ariel Atkins each added 10.

Meanwhile, Connecticut’s hope of regaining early-season footing now depends on how quickly they can translate their self-assessments into action.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board,” Sheldon reflected. “That’s this league. I think it was nice having a week. But now we got a lot of games in a short amount of time. And that’s just how this league is and that’s what we’ll continue to prepare. It might look a little different this week because of our schedule, but we’ll be ready to go.”

Next Sunrise

Looking ahead, the Sun will not have much time to dwell on the loss. They begin a brutal stretch of five games in eight days with a Tuesday night showdown in Indianapolis against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. They return to Mohegan Sun Arena Wednesday to host the Phoenix Mercury, followed by games against Dallas and Atlanta to round out the week.

Chicago Sky: By the Numbers

Connecticut Sun: By the Numbers