Jonquel scores game-high 23 points
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones, left, looks to pass as Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker defends during the first half of Game 2 in a WNBA basketball playoffs semifinal Wednesday, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
As of Thursday, September 1, 2022
#By RENALDO DORSETT
#Tribune Sports Reporter
#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
#Jonquel Jones and the Connecticut Sun will head back to the friendly confines of the Mohegan Sun Arena with home court advantage and their WNBA Semifinals series with the Chicago Sky tied at 1-1.
#The Sun earned the split on the road with a game one win, but followed with an 85-77 loss in game two last night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
#Jones finished with a game-high 23 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and three assists in just over 29 minutes. She shot 10-17 from the field and 2-4 from beyond the arc.
#Jones was one of just two Sun players to score in double figures as the offence struggled for much of the night and shot just 33 percent from the field. She made her first three shots from the field, including a three, and got out to a quick start, reminiscent of the game one win.
#Despite her efficiency, the Sky took advantage early and shot 65 percent from the field in the first quarter while they limited the Sun to just 31 percent.
#In the second quarter, Chicago widened their margin to as much as 17 en route to a 47-32 at the half.
#The series now shifts to Uncasville, Connecticut for games three (September 4 at 1pm) and four (September 6 at a time to be decided), both broadcast live on ESPN2.
#Game five, if necessary, will be back in Chicago at Wintrust Arena on September 8.
#The Sun are back in the WNBA semifinals for the fourth consecutive time. Jones finished with 12 points and nine rebounds in the Sun’s 68-63 win over the Sky in game one.
#This series will be the continuation of the rivalry that saw the Sky upset the top ranked Sun 3-1 in the 2021 semifinals and followed with a regular season sweep in 2022.
#Through six playoff games, Jones is averaging 19 points and eight rebounds per game while shooting 53 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range and 89 percent from the free throw line.
#Jones was more involved offensively in game two following just eight shot attempts in game one. Her 10.4 field goals attempted per game rank third on the Sun this season behind Courtney Williams and DeWanna Bonner.
#In 33 games this season, Jones averaged 14.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. She also shot 51 percent from the field, 80 percent from the free throw line and 37 percent from beyond the arc. She recorded 11 double-doubles on the season and was just one of six players in the WNBA with more than 10 double-doubles. She was recently named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team. It was her third time receiving the honour following First Team selections in 2019 and 2021.
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