FanPost

Connecticut Sun show up tough in late loss to Minnesota.

So far, the benefits of having rested veterans, who were also able to work out and train together, have not manifested themselves in the Lynx' early games. They have ground out 4 wins, but have only shown flashes of the flair that Minnesota's fans have come to expect from their 3-time league champions. But then, those expectations can also be kind of high, after 155 regular season wins and 3 title in the past 6 seasons.

Maya Moore is shooting around 32% from the field and 30% from deep, but ....... she is 13th in scoring, 12th in rebounding, tied for 4th is assists, and tied for 9th in steals. As an all-around performer, she is an elite player, she is just not being the scoring machine we are used to because the shots are just not falling. Lindsay Whalen has not had a great game yet, and did not look very good in this game. Seimone Augustus and Rebekkah Brunson have been more consistent, and Sylvia Fowles has been the linchpin of all 4 victories. When everyone else is floundering, she is getting inside and making things happen.

Connecticut came out just as sloppy as Minnesota in the first quarter; both teams trading up-tempo misses for almost 2 minutes, with the Sun on the board first, and Minnesota blank until 2 1/2 minutes were gone. The sun jumped ahead, but through dogged determination, the Lynx fought back to get to 2 points down at the half. The 2 teams then traded scores throughout the second quarter and left it the same way they started it, Connecticut up by 2.

For about 6-7 minutes in the third quarter, the Lynx looked like the Lynx, ripping off a 26-8 run which seemed to give them control of the game. All of the starters, as well as Jia Perkins, Renee Montgomery, and Plenette Pierson contributed to that run. But, the Sun refused to fold their tents, and came back to within 2 in the final quarter, but just couldn't take another lead.

Jonquel Jones was very impressive all night. She did get hit with 5 fouls, but played a very strong defense and made some important shots. Alyssa Thomas, just back from concussion protocols, I think, pushed the pace all night, and Jasmine Thomas, was just deadly from the 3 point line, hitting 5 of them. The style of the game was reminiscent of how Washington would play us over the past 3 years or so, with young legs trying to break down old legs. Alex Bentley and Morgan Tuck made big contributions, despite Tuck's cold shooting hand.

I mistakenly thought that the absence of Chiney Ogwumike would hold the Sun back more than it appears so far this season. I anticipate another tough game tomorrow, although I still believe that the Lynx will come back victorious.