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Connecticut Sun head home for Games 3 and 4, what’s next?

By Natalie Heavren

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: The Connecticut Sun huddles up against the Los Angeles Sparks during Game Three of the 2019 WNBA Semifinals on September 22, 2019 at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: The Connecticut Sun huddles up against the Los Angeles Sparks during Game Three of the 2019 WNBA Semifinals on September 22, 2019 at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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What do the Sun need to do to win Game 3?

After Game 1, I said three things needed to happen for the Connecticut Sun to win Game 2: make the Mystics uncomfortable, stop over-helping on defense and Jonquel Jones needs to do more.

All three of those things happened.

For the first quarter and a half Connecticut forced Washington to go inside, making it nearly impossible for them to shoot, let alone make, anything from behind the arc.

While the Sun still over-helped at times during the game, including more often as the game went on, it happened significantly less often. The Mystics were left open occasionally for open shots, which they often made, but were given fewer opportunities to do so than in Game 1.

Jonquel Jones put up 32 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked three shots. Connecticut could not have asked for a better game from her.

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Looking ahead to Game 3, the Sun need to continue to make the Mystics uncomfortable, in part by continuing to not over-help on defense.

Additionally, Connecticut found success in Game 2 after they were the one with a sizable first-quarter lead, forcing the Mystics to play from behind.

If the Sun are to win on Sunday, they will need to build a first-quarter lead or prevent the Mystics from creating a large lead.

“First game, they hit us hard, I feel like we were playing catch up all first game,” said Shekinna Stricklen after Game 2. “I think this game we started much better and just kept it going. I felt like they were the ones playing catch up during this game and. I mean they made their run and we was able to stop them when they made runs, I mean we hit shots down at the end.”

While Courtney Williams and Alyssa Thomas have been consistent presences for the Sun throughout the series, and Jones stepped up in Game 2, the Sun have yet to get a consistent bench scorer in this series.

Bria Holmes had nine points on Tuesday, however, she did not contribute as much offensively in the second half.

The Mystics have utilized their bench much more this series, something that will play a key role if Elena Delle Donne does not return.

UNCASVILLE, CT – JULY 24: Rachel Banham #1 of Connecticut Sun poses for a photo prior to a game against the New York Liberty on July 24, 2019 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT – JULY 24: Rachel Banham #1 of Connecticut Sun poses for a photo prior to a game against the New York Liberty on July 24, 2019 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) /

If the Sun’s starters ever get tired, Alyssa Thomas has played all 80 minutes of the series so far, the team will need at least one member of their bench to step up on both ends of the floor as offensive production is necessary to beat this Mystics team.

Connecticut does have a not-so-secret weapon in their back pocket for Game 3… Their homecourt advantage.

“We wanted to go 1-1 here … We accomplished that so you know, go back home now and have two games at home. Our crowd is always behind us. And I feel like we have all the energy when we’re at home, and we play good at home,” said Holmes after Game 2.

Playing good at home is an understatement. The Sun have won all but two games at home this season and will feed off the energy of their sellout crowd.

Stricklen echoed her teammate’s remarksm saying, “I mean, this is where we want to be. We stole the game, exactly where we want to be. We’re going home for three and four. You know, we’re gonna be fired up, our fans are going to be fired up. And I think we play on a different level when we play at home.”

Two last things to look forward to in Game 3 … The #BanhamBomb and Don Williams.

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