The Connecticut Sun 2018 were led by Jonquel Jones and Chiney Ogwumike, whose efficient interior scoring and rebounding gave the team a strong frontcourt foundation. Jasmine Thomas directed the offense with steady playmaking, while Alyssa Thomas contributed across every facet of the game as a versatile two-way presence. Connecticut combined balanced scoring, strong rebounding, and efficient shooting, but inconsistent defense limited the team’s overall success.
Operated as Connecticut’s most efficient interior scorer, finishing quickly around the rim and thriving in pick-and-roll actions. Independent coverage praised the way she successfully returned to All-Star form after major injuries, giving the Sun another dependable frontcourt option alongside Jonquel Jones. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2018)
Jasmine Thomas
Starter/Star
28.1
High
12.9
3.3
4.8
1.3
58.08
Directed the offense while taking on the toughest perimeter defensive assignments each night. Analysts consistently viewed her leadership and defensive intensity as central to Connecticut’s identity, earning another All-Defensive First Team selection. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2018)
Alyssa Thomas
Starter/Star
30.6
High
10.3
8.1
4.2
1.6
63.10
Served as the team’s do-everything forward, initiating offense in transition while defending multiple positions. Season-long coverage emphasized that her rebounding, playmaking and physical style allowed Connecticut to play through her even without a reliable perimeter jumper. (WNBA)
None
Jonquel Jones
Key Contributor
20.5
High
11.8
5.5
1.7
1.6
51.71
Shifted into a reserve role without sacrificing impact, stretching opposing defenses while protecting the rim and dominating second units. Independent reporting regularly cited her professionalism in embracing the role, which culminated in the league’s Sixth Woman honor. (WNBA)
WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2018)
Courtney Williams
Starter/Star
27.1
High
12.6
5.9
3.0
0.9
59.14
Played with her trademark attacking mentality, creating offense from the mid-range and in transition rather than relying on three-point volume. Writers often highlighted her confidence and willingness to take difficult shots when possessions broke down. (WNBA)
None
Alex Bentley
Key Contributor
21.7
Medium
10.0
1.4
3.2
1.4
36.50
Energized the second unit as a scoring guard who pushed the pace whenever she entered. Coverage throughout the season noted that her microwave scoring gave Connecticut valuable backcourt depth despite a reduced starting role. (WNBA)
None
Shekinna Stricklen
Starter/Star
18.8
Medium
6.6
2.3
0.5
0.7
24.73
Filled a low-maintenance three-and-D role, spacing the floor and rarely forcing offense outside the system. Analysts pointed to her perimeter shooting as an important complement to Connecticut’s frontcourt-heavy attack. (WNBA)
None
Layshia Clarendon
Key Contributor
15.9
Low
5.4
1.6
2.7
0.5
22.47
Worked primarily as a reserve playmaker, providing steady ball handling and defensive versatility. Independent reporting described the midseason addition as valuable veteran insurance behind Jasmine Thomas. (WNBA)
None
Morgan Tuck
Bench
13.6
Low
5.9
2.3
0.5
0.5
18.40
Accepted a limited frontcourt role and focused on defending multiple positions while supplying occasional scoring. Coverage noted that injuries continued to interrupt what had once been viewed as a high-upside career trajectory. (WNBA)
None
Rachel Banham
Bench
12.8
Low
5.2
0.9
1.5
0.6
16.40
Functioned as a reserve floor spacer whose outside shooting remained her clearest path to rotation minutes. Independent reporting suggested her confidence improved as the season progressed despite inconsistent playing time. (WNBA)
None
Brionna Jones
Bench
9.0
Low
3.1
2.0
0.2
0.4
11.40
Limited contemporary coverage was available, though observers consistently praised her efficient finishing and physical post play whenever she entered the game. (WNBA)
None
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
Bench
9.3
Low
2.7
1.7
0.7
0.4
11.00
Played a depth role on the wing, bringing defensive effort and athleticism in short bursts. Independent reporting on her season was limited because of her place near the end of the rotation. (WNBA)
None
Lexie Brown
Bench
5.6
Low
1.7
0.8
0.5
0.3
6.60
Appeared mostly in developmental minutes, with limited independent coverage beyond evaluations of her perimeter shooting and long-term potential as a combo guard. (WNBA)
None
Totals
—
238.5
—
102.6
43.6
25.2
12.0
442.75
Connecticut paired an efficient veteran frontcourt with improved depth, finishing among the WNBA’s strongest regular-season teams through balanced scoring, versatile defense and disciplined ball movement under Curt Miller.
WNBA Playoff Appearance (2018)
Playoffs
Player Name
Role Tier
MPG
Usage Tier
PPG
RPG
APG
STK (SPG + BPG)
Impact Index
Notes
Awards
Courtney Williams
Starter/Star
33.0
High
27.0
8.0
3.0
0.0
100.32
Attacked as Connecticut’s primary shot creator and never hesitated against Phoenix’s veteran defense, catching fire from mid-range and beyond. Independent postseason coverage described her explosive scoring as the driving force that nearly pushed the Sun through despite the late collapse. (tribune242.com)
None
Jonquel Jones
Starter/Star
26.0
High
13.0
7.0
7.0
0.0
71.28
Operated from the high post as much as the low block, creating offense with smart passing instead of forcing difficult shots. Game reports highlighted her all-around playmaking as Connecticut searched for answers against Phoenix’s defensive adjustments. (tribune242.com)
None
Alyssa Thomas
Starter/Star
35.0
High
17.0
3.0
3.0
0.0
60.19
Played with her usual downhill style, repeatedly attacking the paint and absorbing contact rather than settling for jumpers. Postgame analysis pointed to her physical approach as one of the few matchup advantages Connecticut consistently maintained. (tribune242.com)
None
Jasmine Thomas
Starter/Star
35.0
High
14.0
5.0
2.0
2.0
60.19
Handled lead-guard responsibilities against relentless pressure, balancing shot creation with defensive assignments on Phoenix’s backcourt. Independent coverage noted that her perimeter shooting briefly helped swing momentum before the Mercury’s late surge. (tribune242.com)
None
Shekinna Stricklen
Starter/Star
23.0
Medium
6.0
1.0
2.0
0.0
21.78
Filled the spacing role on the wing, drawing defensive attention even when touches were limited. Analysts viewed her floor spacing as important to creating driving lanes for Connecticut’s attacking forwards. (tribune242.com)
None
Rachel Banham
Bench
9.0
Low
3.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
16.00
Supplied a quick spark off the bench with confident perimeter play in limited minutes. Independent reporting on her performance was limited, but her energy helped stabilize the second unit during short stretches. (tribune242.com)
None
Chiney Ogwumike
Key Contributor
19.0
Low
2.0
3.0
1.0
2.0
16.80
Battled inside despite an off shooting night, staying engaged defensively and competing for rebounds against Phoenix’s frontcourt. Coverage focused more on her effort than her offensive production in this elimination game. (tribune242.com)
None
Morgan Tuck
Bench
9.0
Low
2.0
2.0
0.0
0.0
8.00
Saw brief frontcourt minutes, providing physical defense and rotational depth. Limited contemporary reporting was available because of her small role in the playoff rotation. (tribune242.com)
None
Layshia Clarendon
Key Contributor
10.0
Low
2.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
6.30
Entered as a reserve guard to steady the backcourt, though the shortened playoff rotation limited opportunities to influence the game. Independent coverage of the performance was minimal. (tribune242.com)
None
Totals
—
199.0
—
86.0
29.0
20.0
7.0
360.86
Connecticut leaned heavily on its core throughout this playoff matchup, receiving a memorable scoring outburst from Courtney Williams but ultimately falling after Phoenix executed more efficiently in the closing minutes. (tribune242.com)
