Connecticut Sun’s Jonquel Jones (35) goes up for a shot against Chicago Sky’s Azura Stevens (30) and Candace Parker (3) during the first half of Game 3 of their WNBA semifinal playoff game yesterday in Chicago. Chicago won 86-83. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
By RENALDO DORSETT
Tribune Sports Reporter
rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
Jonquel Jones and the Connecticut Sun are faced with must win situations to keep their season and 2021 title hopes alive.
Jones finished with a double double - 10 points and 10 rebounds - and also added a game high four blocks, but her Connecticut Sun lost game three of the WNBA Semifinals, 86-83 to the Chicago Sky yesterday at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
The Sky will also host game four, Wednesday, October 6, at 8pm, broadcast live on ESPN2.
Sun head coach Curt Miller said that while his MVP has played the role of facilitator due to the Sky defence, his offence gameplan has to include ways for Jones to produce on the offensive end.
“We have got to continue to get her touches,” Miller said. “Obviously there’s a lot of attention on her and like any great player does, she’s unselfish and is going to make plays for other players. With all of that attention on her it is going to open up things for other people.”
Jones has averaged 13.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in this series, down from her regular season averages of 19.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game en route to winning league MVP.
“You may not get the shot attempts, your numbers may not look eye popping but can you make everything easier for other people,” Miller said. “At the same time we have to get JJ touches where she can score.”
In game one, Jones led the Sun with 26 points and 11 rebounds in a 101-95 double overtime loss.
In game two, she finished with a season low four points, seven rebounds and four assists in the Sun’s 79-68 win.
Sky head coach James Wade, who coached Jones in the Russian Premier League as an assistant on the UMMC Ekaterinburg staff, said his No.6 ranked Sky continue to remain confident against the accolade filled No.1 seeded Sun.
“We know they are a great team, we’re not going to take anything away from them and take them lightly,” Wade said.
“They have the MVP, they have the Most Improved Player, and they have the best coach in the league but at the same time we know who we are and we’re confident in that.”
The Sky defeated the Dallas Wings in round one and upset the third seeded Minnesota Lynx in round two to advance.
Since the WNBA changed its playoff format in 2016, the No. 1 seed has reached the championship round every year.
Stay tuned for Game 4.
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