The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

JONQUEL Jones and the Connecticut Sun were one of the hottest teams in the WNBA during July and hoped to challenge for the final playoff spot. However, a recent losing streak ended those hopes as the WNBA season winds down.

The Sun lost their third consecutive game Sunday afternoon and were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a 96-86 loss to the Chicago Sky at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Jones finished with five points, three rebounds and two assists in just over 16 minutes.

The win also clinched a playoff berth for the Sky who surpassed the .500 mark at 16-15 while the Sun  went to 11-20.

The Sun, Dallas Wings (11-21) and San Antonio Stars (6-25) have all been eliminated from playoff contention.

The Phoenix Mercury (14-17) and Washington Mystics (12-19) remain in the hunt for the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Seattle Storm currently occupy the No.8 spot at 12-17, just one game ahead of Jones and the Storm and with just five games left to play in the regular season.

The Sun posted an 8-4 record from July to early September and was tied for the second best mark in the WNBA during that timespan.

Despite being sixth in the Eastern Conference, with the league’s new playoff rules, they remained with a shot at the eight spot.

Prior to the losing streak, the Sun were just one half game behind the Seattle Storm who have now clinched the No.7 spot.

Just three games remain in the WNBA regular season, Jones and the Sun. They face the Indiana Fever tonight at 7pm, the Dallas Wings Friday September 16 at 7pm and close out the season Sunday September 18 against the Washington Mystics at 4pm.

The top eight teams in the entire league, irrespective of division, qualify for the playoffs and are seeded one to eight.

The new format  will re-seed after each round and includes byes for the top-ranked teams.

According to SBnation: “Under the new format, teams will be seeded 1-8 regardless of conference affiliation. The top two seeds will receive double byes to the semi-finals, while the No. 3 and 4 seeds get single byes. The No. 5 seed will play the No. 8 seed and the No. 6 seed will play the No. 7 seed in a single-elimination first round.

The higher-seeded winner then plays the No. 4 seed in the next round, while the lower-seeded winner then plays the No. 3 seed. They, too, would each play a single game.

Come November, Jones will prepare to continue her pro career as she venture into the Korean Basketball League after being drafted No.5 by Woori Bank Hansae Chuncheon for the 2016-2017 on July 10 in Seoul, South Korea.

Jones, a 22-year-old 6-feet, 6-inches center, was among 12 WNBA players drafted with into the Korean League with  six of them having previous experience playing in the WKBL. The first player selected in the draft by Samsung Blue Minx was Alyssa Thomas who currently plays for the Connecticut Sun. Thomas played in the Korean League for the 2014-15 season and lead the league in scoring.

“I was honored to hear that I was picked in the first round,” Jones said. “Over 200-300 players enter their names in the draft, so for me to be picked for this team is a honor because of my team-mates played for this team and she said they do a really good job with developing the players’ skill level.A lot of players have told me that whenever they go over to any other league  to play, they develop a level of confidence. You go over there and you’re one of the big players on the team, so you have to beg to come out of the game.  That’s how much the team rely on you they told me.”