Sun’s Jonquel Jones runs hard in the second half of a WNBA playoff game. Jones and Connecticut are set to go head-to-head against the Washington Mystics and the reigning league MVP - Elena Delle Donne - in game two of the WNBA Finals at 8pm tonight. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
By RENALDO DORSETT
Tribune Sports Reporter
rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
FOR the Sun to even the WNBA Finals and earn a split on the road with a game two win tonight, Jonquel Jones said the team’s focus has to be on the defensive end of the floor.
The Washington Mystics were proficient from the field in a 96-85 win Sunday night and Jones said limiting their shooters will be the difference between an even series or an 0-2 deficit.
“It’s a one-on-one type of game right now the way that they space the floor out so we just have to be able to sit down and keep people in front of us. I think it’s just a level of pride we have to have on defence and I think we saw that when we watched the film, we just have to be better,” Jones said.
Jones, the league leader in blocked shots, was a member of the WNBA All-Defensive First Team along with teammates Jasmine Thomas and Alyssa Thomas (third team).
Despite their elite defensive status throughout the season, the Mystics managed to shoot 54 per cent from the field and 47 per cent from three-point range.
“It’s all spacing. Everyone on the court can shoot the ball from at least mid-range so when it’s like that they space you out alot,” Jones said.’
“They don’t have a traditional post player on the block posting up so because of that it’s hard for me to get there on helpside and when I do get there they’re dishing it out to the open shooter. When the help does come they are exposing us and are able to knock down those jumpers.”
The Mystics host game two at 8pm tonight.
The series will then shift to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut for game three at 3:30pm on Sunday, October 6 and game four, if necessary, is all set for 8pm on Tuesday, October 8. Game five, if necessary, will be back in Washington, DC at 8pm on Thursday, October 10.
Washington makes their second consecutive trip to the finals after they were swept by the Seattle Storm in 2018. During that year, Delle Donne struggled through a bone bruise.
The Sun are making their first appearance in the finals since 2005.
The Sun won the head-to-head matchup between the two teams in the regular season 2-1.
“Just a little jitters at the beginning, but I think game two will be completely different,” projected Jones, a native of Grand Bahama.
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