By Tiffany Williams –
CHICAGO — The Connecticut Sun carried a double-digit lead into the second quarter Friday night but could not withstand a Chicago comeback, falling 85-80 to the Sky at Wintrust Arena.
The loss dropped Connecticut to 2-10 on the season despite strong performances from Diamond Miller, Brittney Griner and Aneesah Morrow.
Miller and Griner each scored 16 points to lead the Sun. Griner added eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks, while Saniya Rivers finished with 14 points and two blocks. Morrow pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds and reached another milestone by recording her 400th career rebound.
Connecticut appeared poised to snap its recent struggles after dominating the opening quarter.
The Sky opened the game with aggressive defensive pressure, forcing steals and blocks while holding the Sun scoreless until roughly the eight-minute mark. Azurá Stevens and Skylar Diggins scored the game’s first points before Connecticut found its rhythm.
Diamond Miller ignited the Sun offense with a layup that marked her 700th career point. The basket sparked a 9-0 run as Miller, Griner and Rivers fueled a surge that quickly changed the tone of the game.
Miller was nearly unstoppable during the opening quarter, scoring 14 points as Connecticut closed the period on a 14-point run. Aneesah Morrow collected six rebounds in the quarter, reaching 400 career rebounds in her 53rd WNBA game and becoming the 21st-fastest player in league history to reach the milestone, matching Nneka Ogwumike.
By the end of the first quarter, Connecticut held a commanding 25-11 advantage.
Chicago began chipping away immediately in the second quarter.
Saniya Rivers opened the period with a block on Kamilla Cardoso, but Rachel Banham answered with a three-pointer for the Sky. Brittney Griner added another block on Cardoso before setting up Rivers for a basket.
Morrow scored her first points of the night on a three-pointer, but Chicago’s offense came alive behind Skylar Diggins.
Diggins poured in 16 points during the quarter as the Sky erased a 14-point deficit. Hailey Van Lith, facing her former team, and Raegan Beers also got on the scoreboard as Chicago generated momentum.
The Sky scored 32 points in the second quarter and trimmed Connecticut’s lead to just two points by halftime.
The game completely shifted after the break.
Former Sun guard Jacy Sheldon opened the second half with a basket to tie the game at 45. Griner answered with a three-point play, but Chicago gradually seized control.
Morrow grabbed her 10th rebound during the third quarter, marking the fourth consecutive game and ninth game this season in which she recorded at least 10 rebounds.
Midway through the period, the Sky built a five-point lead as Connecticut struggled to protect the basketball. After committing only six turnovers in the first half, the Sun committed seven turnovers in the third quarter alone.
Late baskets by Nell Angloma and Charlisse Leger-Walker helped Connecticut cut the deficit to four entering the fourth quarter.
The final period featured several momentum swings before Chicago delivered the decisive blows.
Raegan Beers completed a three-point play early in the fourth quarter to bring Connecticut within one point. Sydney Taylor scored four points to help maintain the Sky’s advantage as both teams battled down the stretch.
Chicago held a 77-76 lead with less than two minutes remaining when Diggins delivered one of the game’s biggest plays, hitting a contested basket and converting a free throw to extend the advantage to four points.
Connecticut answered quickly.
Rivers knocked down a three-pointer with 1:03 remaining to cut the deficit to a single point and keep the Sun within striking distance.
But the Sky had one final response.
Elizabeth Williams connected on a three-pointer with 14.5 seconds remaining, pushing Chicago’s lead back to four points and effectively sealing the outcome.
Connecticut’s work on the glass kept the game close throughout the night. The Sun outrebounded the Sky 40-28 and dominated second-chance opportunities, scoring 19 points off 14 offensive rebounds compared to Chicago’s 10 second-chance points on seven offensive boards.
Morrow and Griner combined for 25 rebounds, nearly matching Chicago’s entire team total.
The Sky, however, capitalized on Connecticut’s mistakes. Chicago scored nine points off the Sun’s 15 turnovers and overcame a slow first quarter by scoring 32 points in the second quarter and 22 more in the third.
Skylar Diggins led Chicago with 24 points. Azurá Stevens grabbed 10 rebounds, while Courtney Vandersloot Cloud recorded five assists. Chicago improved to 4-6 with the victory.
For Connecticut, the loss spoiled several notable individual accomplishments. Miller surpassed 700 career points, while Morrow’s 17 rebounds established a new career high and pushed her past the 400-career rebound mark.
The Sun will return home Monday night when they host the New York Liberty at Mohegan Sun Arena. The game will mark the second meeting of the season between the teams, and Connecticut will honor franchise legend Jonquel Jones during the evening.
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