On Friday night, the Golden State Valkyries will be going for a seventh-straight win, the Dallas Wings will be aiming to extend their three-game winning streak when they meet the Toronto Tempo, losers of three-straight games, in Montreal (7:30 p.m. ET, ION) and both the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks will be hoping to establish a modicum of momentum by winning their second-straight game (10 p.m. ET, ION).
But, let’s focus on the Connecticut Sun, who will be hosting the red-hot Valkyries (7:30
p.m. ET, ION).
The Sun are 5-17 and sitting in last place in the WNBA standings.
Connecticut, however, is 3-2 over their last five games, with a 29-point win over the Sky, an 11-point victory over the Washington Mystics and a one-point squeaker against the Minnesota Lynx, delaying win No. 380 for Cheryl Reeve.
And when the Lynx claimed Reeve her record-breaking win, the Sun made them earn it, leading for much of the night before losing by six points. They also lost by just three points to the Dallas Wings, ultimately undone late by a clutch close from Paige Bueckers.
Up in the wilds of Uncasville, things are progressing in the right direction.
After the Sun appeared to be embodying the afterthought status imposed on them by the WNBA’s heavy-handed involvement in the franchise’s sale and forthcoming relocation, with the team truding through uncompetitive loss after uncompetitive loss, the Sun have discovered some spunk.
The wins, still, might not be that frequent, but they’re going to put up a fight.
Here are three players who deserve credit for Connecticut’s improvement. In the comments, let us know the Sun players who, in spite of the defeats, have impressed you this season.
Give us all the Brittney Griner throwbacks!
Brittney Griner, unfortunately, is sidelined for Friday night’s game against the Valkyries, designated as out for a second-straight game with a quad injury.
However, let’s appreciate Griner’s Monday night masterclass. BG entered the throwback machine, posting a monster 29-point and 10-rebound double-double to drive the Sun’s upset of the Lynx.
It’s unknown if Griner’s tenure of with this franchise will extend into next season, back in her home state of Texas. But, she’s again serving the stabilizing veteran role she first adopted last season with the Atlanta Dream.
The Dream outgrew Griner’s contributions more quickly than expected, resulting in her assuming a more limited role by season’s end. Don’t expect that to happen with the Sun. BG is the Sun’s 6-foot-9 security blanket. The ability of the Sun to throw her the ball on one end and depend on her to defend the basket on the other will remain a source of certainity for a team subject to the inconsistencies of their young players.
And while BG might not often approach 30 points, the 29-point outburst was her fifth-straight game scoring in double figures. Always a bit frustrating on the glass, she also has eight or more rebounds in four of her last five games. That kind of production provides a competitive floor for the Sun, guarding against the uglier losses the team experienced earlier in the season.
Is Charlisse Leger-Walker the best Bruin rookie?
Before her college career closed with a national championship as a Bruin, Zack Ward wrote about Charlisse Leger-Walker’s pre-UCLA collegiate accomplishments, reminding that her name was alongside those of Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers during her freshman season at Washington State.
Injuries then interrupted her college career, resulting in her joining the Bruins and filling a smaller role than her highest moments at Washington State would have predicted.
Thus, Leger-Walker didn’t arrive in the W positioned to rediscover the star-level status of her early college days, selected in the second round by the Sun. However, it’s easy to see how the different circumstances that dotted her college career prepared her to be an instant contributor as a pro.
On Sun team full of young players whose ambitions often outpace their execution, Leger-Walker exudes a comfort the exceeds her inexperience, even among her modest stats and still-present rookie imperfections. She profiles as a longterm backup point guard, or maybe better, in WNBA.
In all likelihood, one or more of her Bruin teammates will carve out a starrier WNBA career. But, it won’t be surprising if Leger-Walker is one day an underrated piece on a championship-winning team, once again.
Yep, we’re going to keep gushing over Leïla Lacan
Year 2 expectations for Leïla Lacan were high.
Last season, her arrival transformed the Sun. This season, she’s hasn’t been able to conjure that kind of magic. Instead of soaring, she’s surviving.
But for this Sun squad, a Lacan who is still finding her way in the WNBA is more than good enough. And, there’s no evidence Lacan has fallen off her star trajectory.
Navigating the floor with an athletic zip and aesthetically-pleasing zest, Lacan has continued to flash fearless three-level scoring that complements her creative offensive orchestration. And on the defensive end, her havoc-inducing instincts and hustle can swing a game’s momentum.
At the moment, however, the total package comes together inconsistently. With a better team environment, something that is assumed to be a priority for next season’s Houston Comets, Lacan likely will better positioned to iron out those inconsistencies, particularly as a shooter.
For now, the Sun will enjoy the highs, and hope Friday night delivers another one despite the difficulties of the matchup.
With Griner out of the lineup, Lacan unquestionably will be the No. 1 priority on Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase’s scouting report. And considering the track record of the Valkyries’ defense, she’s in for a challenging night. So, if she doesn’t struggle, that should inspire even more Lacan excitement.
