The Las Vegas Aces are no longer undefeated this season. After starting the 2023 campaign with seven straight wins, Becky Hammon’s players fell heavily on the Connecticut Sun floor on Thursday (94-77). A poor performance which also puts an end to a series of 11 consecutive successes since the end of last season.
“They just kicked our ass” conceded Becky Hammon, coach of the Aces. “We weren’t into it tonight, we just weren’t into it. This is really the first time this has happened since I’ve been here.”.
If the Aces missed their subject, it is also because the Sun was extremely solid. The two teams had already faced each other on Tuesday in a remake of the 2022 Finals. But it was once again Las Vegas that had taken over (90-84).
This time, the Connecticut Sun took revenge, and with style. Carried by a DeWanna Bonnerauthor of 14 of the team’s first 20 points, Stephanie White’s players completely suffocated their opponent on both sides of the floor.
A historic evening
While she had only scored 5 points at 2/9 shooting on Tuesday, DeWanna Bonner did much better… by making history since she will end the game with 41 points at 16/23 shooting including 5/ 7 to 3-pointers! It’s a new career high for the 35-year-old player, but above all it’s a franchise record for the Connecticut Sun.
“I think I played the worst possible game of my career on Tuesday with 5 points” explained the player. “Today, I just wanted to be aggressive and I had a hot hand, so I thought it was good, it was time. I’ve been struggling with my shooting all year, but I don’t know what happened tonight. It was a first for me “.
She had not passed the 30 point mark since 2021, which shows the importance of performance. His previous career high was 38 points (2012, 2016). The previous franchise record was 35 points, previously held by Shannon Johnson, since 2000.
“I am preparing very seriously. I work very hard. I believe in myself, in my game and in all the work I put in for 14 years, until it was time for me to retire.” added DeWanna Bonner. “We know what she is capable of and I think she reminded the league of the type of player she is.” added her teammate, Alyssa Thomas.
Thanks to this prestigious victory, the Connecticut Sun now has a record of 7-2, which represents the second best record in the league, just behind their victim of the evening (7-1).
