Jonquel Jones, Natasha Howard named WNBA Players of the Week

Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones (35) shoots during the WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on May 28, 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Poss
Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones (35) shoots during the WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on May 28, 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Poss

The two multiple-week honorees are recognized yet again

The WNBA announced that the Connecticut Sun’s Jonquel Jones and the Seattle Storm’s Natasha Howard were the players of the week for the week of June 10. It was the third straight award for Jones and the second of 2019 for Howard.

Jones has been a force for the Sun, who have opened the season 9-1. Their only loss came on the road against the Los Angeles Sparks at the end of May.

Jones put together a stat line of 17.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.67 blocks per game as Connecticut went 3-0 last week. For the season, the third-year player out of George Washington has a line of 15.5 ppg, 10.8 rpg, and 2.4 bpg. That’s good for six double-doubles in the team’s 10 games. She has yet to score in single digits.

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While the Storm (5-4) haven’t been as dominant as the Sun this season, Howard has helped them succeed while they navigate without Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart. Last week, they went 2-1 with their only loss coming against Jones’ Sun on the road. Howard’s contributions were 21.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, and 1.0 bpg.

The veteran Howard has been crucial to the Storm as they defend their 2018 WNBA title. Last season’s WNBA and Associated Press Most Improved Player has scored 20 or more points in five of the team’s nine contests. She has at least 12 points in every game and has only scored fewer than 18 points once all season. She is producing 19.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg, and 1.4 bpg for the year.

Jones and her team will try to stay atop league standings when the Sun takes on the Atlanta Dream (1-5) and the Chicago Sky (4-2) this week. Howard and the Storm will face off against the Los Angeles Sparks (4-2) and the Indiana Fever (4-4).

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