UNCASVILLE, CT — The Connecticut Sun have started the season with a 4-0 record, twice defeating the Indiana Fever, once beating the Washington Mystics and once edging out the Minnesota Lynx. They’ve yet to face the best teams in the league—namely the two-time defending champions Las Vegas Aces and the runner-up New York Liberty—but they’ve also clearly established themselves as one of the WNBA’s most elite teams through the first two weeks of the season.
The Sun have the second-best offensive rating in the league (108.3), third-best defensive rating (98), and second-best net rating (+10.8). Only the Liberty have a better net rating, aided by a 36-point victory over the Fever.
The Sun’s early-season success can be attributed to a confluence of factors, but it wouldn’t be fair to start anywhere other than the strong play of its two star players, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner. Here are three reasons why the Sun—one of the least talked about teams on a national stage—is the only undefeated team remaining in the WNBA.
The (historically) well-rounded play of Alyssa Thomas
Last year’s MVP runner-up has had a great start to the season, averaging a near triple-double with 17 points per game, 10.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists, two steals and a block. Thomas—the WNBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles—had an unprecedented season of near triple-doubles last year, and has made it a point to maintain that same level of production this season.
With an influx of media in attendance for Caitlin Clark’s professional debut, Thomas recorded a triple-double on opening night in a blowout win against the Fever, and noted after the fact that she was motivated by the desire to prove last year’s near triple-double average was not a fluke.
Thomas was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from May 14th to 19th, the 10th time she’s been awarded the honor in her 11 year career. “It’s not a surprise to any of us that she keeps putting up these numbers,” Stephanie White said.
The timeless scoring of DeWanna Bonner
On opening night, 36-year-old DeWanna Bonner became the No. 5 all-time scorer in WNBA history, passing Candice Dupree. Despite being in her 15th season, Bonner is averaging a career-high 21 points per game on 46.9 percent shooting. She’s struggled on 3-pointers—shooting just 15 percent from beyond the arc through four games—but has otherwise maintained her scoring prowess. She’s tied for the No….
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