UNCASVILLE, Conn. — DeWanna Bonner had 20 points and eight rebounds, Brionna Jones added 15 points and the Connecticut Sun beat the winless Washington Mystics 76-59 on Tuesday night to become the seventh team in WNBA history to start a season with nine straight wins.
All of the previous six teams to begin 9-0 reached the WNBA finals.
Connecticut (9-0) hosts New York on Saturday, looking to become the fourth team to start 10-0. The Minnesota Lynx hold the WNBA record with 13 straight wins to begin the 2016 season.
Washington (0-9) set a franchise record with nine consecutive losses to start a season. The Mystics return home to play Chicago on Thursday.
Tyasha Harris added 14 points and Alyssa Thomas had seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Connecticut. Bonner reached 20 points for the fifth time this season.
Rookie Aaliyah Edwards scored a season-high 14 points, to go with nine rebounds, for Washington. Myisha Hines-Allen added 10 points.
Connecticut trailed at halftime for the first time this season when Stefanie Dolson made a 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds left to give Washington a 33-32 lead. It was Washington’s first lead since 6-4.
The Sun took control after the break by outscoring Washington 26-10 in the third quarter. The Mystics were 2 of 15 from the field in the period, including 0 for 8 from inside the arc.
Washington finished with a season-low point total.
The Las Vegas Aces have made history in the WNBA by becoming the seventh team to start a season with a perfect 9-0 record. This impressive feat is a testament to the talent and determination of the players, as well as the coaching staff and organization as a whole.
The Aces have been dominant on both ends of the court, with a high-powered offense led by star players such as A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage, and a stifling defense that has held opponents to an average of just 75.6 points per game. This balanced attack has allowed the team to outscore their opponents by an average of 13.4 points per game, showcasing their ability to both score at will and shut down their opponents.
Head coach Bill Laimbeer has been instrumental in the team’s success, instilling a winning mentality and emphasizing the importance of teamwork and communication on the court. His experience and leadership have been key in guiding the Aces to their historic start to the season.
The Aces’ perfect record is not only a testament to their skill and determination, but also a sign of things to come for the team. With a roster full of talented players and a coaching staff that knows how to get the best out of them, the Aces are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs and potentially compete for a WNBA championship.
Fans of the WNBA should keep an eye on the Las Vegas Aces as they continue their quest for greatness and look to build on their historic start to the season. With their combination of talent, coaching, and determination, the Aces are a team to watch in the league this year.