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WNBA team season
The 2023 Connecticut Sun season was the 25th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association . It was the 21st season for the franchise in Connecticut after relocating from Orlando.
On November 22, 2022, the Sun announced that Stephanie White would be the new head coach for the franchise, after Curt Miller left for the same job with Los Angeles . White previously coached in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever , while most recently coaching for the Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball team.[ 1]
The season started well for the Sun as they won their first three games of the year, including two in a row against Washington . They would lose their next game to New York , but would win the final game of the month to finish May 4–1. They started off June by winning four of their first five games and they would finish by winning four of six games. The end of the month also included a four game winning streak. The Sun finished June 8–3. July opened with a loss to Las Vegas but then the sun went on a three-game winning streak. A loss to Phoenix broke that streak, but the Sun followed it up with another three game winning streak. They lost the final game of the month to finish 6–3 in July. They won three games to open August, but followed that streak by losing three games. They ended their three game losing streak on August 20 with a win over Chicago and that win clinched the Sun a playoff berth. They ended the month winning three of four games to finish with a 7–4 August record. The Sun entered September having clinched their playoff berth and being safely in the third seed. The finished the season 2–2 including a final day loss. They finished the regular season with a 27–13 record and were the third seed in the 2023 WNBA Playoffs . Their twenty-seven wins were the most in franchise history.
As the third seed in the Playoffs Connecticut would host the first two games of a three game series against the sixth seed Minnesota Lynx . Game one started out as a tight affair but Connecticut broke away in the second and fourth quarters to win the first game 90–60. Game two was a closer affair, with the Lynx leading by five points at halftime. Connecticut couldn't break into their lead after the half and eventually lost 75–82. In game three, in Minnesota, the Sun dominated the first half, leading by fifteen at halftime. The Lynx couldn't close the gap, as the second half ended tied. The Sun won the game 90–75 and the series two games to one. The Sun advanced to the semifinals to face-off against the second seed New York Liberty . In the first game of the series Connecticut used a strong second half to win 78–63. In game two, the Sun won the first quarter but the Liberty won the other three quarters and the Sun lost 77–84. Games three and four moved to Connecticut. Homecourt didn't help the Sun in game 3 of the series, as they lost 81–92. In a must-win game four the Sun kept the game close, but ultimately came up short 84–87. The Sun lost the semifinal series one game to three to end their season.
Date
Details
October 21, 2022
Head coach Curt Miller resigns and takes job with the Los Angeles Sparks [ 2]
November 21, 2022
Hired Stephanie White as Head Coach[ 3]
November 29, 2022
Hired Darius Taylor as General Manager[ 4]
Promoted Morgan Tuck to Assistant General Manager
December 27, 2022
Hired Abi Olajuwon as an Assistant Coach [ 5]
January 3, 2023
Hired Briann January as Assistant Coach[ 6]
January 11, 2023
Extended Qualifying Offers to Natisha Hiedeman and Joyner Holmes [ 7]
January 16, 2023
Traded Jonquel Jones to the New York Liberty as part of a 3-Team Trade. Connecticut received Rebecca Allen and the 6th Overall Pick in the 2023 WNBA draft from New York and Tyasha Harris from the Dallas Wings .[ 8]
Traded Jasmine Thomas and the 10th Overall Pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for the Olivia Nelson-Ododa , Jasmine Walker , and Kianna Smith [ 9]
January 19, 2023
Cored Brionna Jones [ 10]
February 1, 2023
Signed Joyner Holmes to a Qualifying Offer - Training Camp Contract[ 11]
February 3, 2023
Signed Natisha Hiedeman to a 2-Year Deal[ 12]
Signed Mikiah Herbert Harrigan to a Training Camp Contract[ 13]
February 7, 2023
Signed Kristine Anigwe and Lauren Cox to Training Camp Contracts[ 14]
February 9, 2023
Traded the 6th Overall Pick in the 2023 WNBA draft to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Tiffany Hayes [ 15]
February 10, 2023
Signed Kiki Smith to a Rookie Scale Contract
February 13, 2023
Signed Brionna Jones to a 1-Year Deal[ 16]
February 15, 2023
Signed Tiffany Hayes to a 1-Year Deal[ 17]
Signed Victoria Macaulay to a Training Camp Contract[ 18]
Waived Jasmine Walker [ 19]
February 16, 2023
Waived Kristine Anigwe [ 20]
February 17, 2023
Signed Nirra Fields to a Training Camp Contract[ 21]
February 21, 2023
Waived Joyner Holmes [ 22]
April 12, 2023
Signed Ashten Prechtal to a Rookie Scale Contract
Signed Khaalia Hillsman, Caitlin Bickle, and Jayla Everett to Training Camp Contracts[ 23]
April 15, 2023
Waived Nirra Fields
April 18, 2023
Signed Alexis Morris to a Rookie Scale Contract
April 27, 2023
Signed Lasha Petree to a Training Camp Contract[ 24]
April 30, 2023
Waived Lasha Petree[ 25]
Signed Diamond Battles to a Training Camp Contract[ 26]
May 3, 2023
Waived Mikiah Herbert Harrigan , Khaalia Hillsman, and Kiara Smith[ 27]
May 5, 2023
Waived Victoria Macaulay [ 28]
May 9, 2023
Exercised 4th-Year Team Option on DiJonai Carrington [ 29]
May 10, 2023
Waived Alexis Morris , Diamond Battles, and Ashten Prechtel[ 30]
May 15, 2023
Signed Tyasha Harris to a Contract Extension[ 31]
May 16, 2023
Waived Caitlin Bickle, Nia Clouden , and Jayla Everett[ 32] [ 33] [ 34]
Traded a 2025 Third-Round Pick to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Leigha Brown [ 35]
June 1, 2023
Waived Lauren Cox [ 36]
June 3, 2023
Signed Liz Dixon [ 37]
July 14, 2023
Waived Liz Dixon [ 38]
July 17, 2023
Signed Kristine Anigwe to a 7-Day Contract[ 39]
July 26, 2023
Signed Bernadett Határ [ 40]
August 18, 2023
Signed Kristine Anigwe to a 2nd 7-Day Contract[ 41]
2023 Connecticut Sun roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
#
Nat.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB From
Yrs
G/F 9
Allen, Rebecca
6' 2" (1.88m)
162 lb (73kg)
1992-11-06
Australia
7
G/F 24
Bonner, DeWanna
6' 4" (1.93m)
143 lb (65kg)
1987-08-21
Auburn
13
G 32
Brown, Leigha
6' 1" (1.85m)
165 lb (75kg)
07-14-2000
Michigan
R
G/F 21
Carrington, DiJonai
5' 11" (1.8m)
175 lb (79kg)
1998-01-08
Baylor
2
G 52
Harris, Tyasha
5' 10" (1.78m)
152 lb (69kg)
1998-05-01
South Carolina
3
C 44
Határ, Bernadett
6' 10" (2.08m)
208 lb (94kg)
08-24-1994
Hungary
1
G 15
Hayes, Tiffany
5' 10" (1.78m)
155 lb (70kg)
09-20-1989
Connecticut
10
G 2
Hiedeman, Natisha
5' 8" (1.73m)
135 lb (61kg)
1997-02-10
Marquette
4
F 42
Jones, Brionna
6' 3" (1.91m)
230 lb (104kg)
1995-12-18
Maryland
6
C 10
Nelson-Ododa, Olivia
6' 5" (1.96m)
173 lb (78kg)
08-17-2000
Connecticut
1
F 25
Thomas, Alyssa
6' 2" (1.88m)
185 lb (84kg)
1992-04-12
Maryland
8
Head coach
Stephanie White (Purdue )Assistant coaches
Abi Olajuwon (Oklahoma )Briann January (Arizona State )Duke )Athletic trainer
Strength and conditioning coach
Legend (C) Team captain(FA) Free agent(IN) Inactive(S) Suspended
2023 game log
May: 4–1 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–1)
June
: 8–3 (Home: 3–3; Road: 5–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
6
June 1
@ Minnesota
W 89–84
Natisha Hiedeman (19)
Alyssa Thomas (9)
Alyssa Thomas (16)
Target Center 5–1
7
June 4
Dallas
W 80–74
DeWanna Bonner (22)
Alyssa Thomas (10)
Alyssa Thomas (6)
Mohegan Sun Arena 6–1
8
June 6
Las Vegas
L 84–90
Rebecca Allen (22)
Alyssa Thomas (11)
Hiedeman Jones (7)
Mohegan Sun Arena 6–2
9
June 8
Las Vegas
W 94–77
DeWanna Bonner (41)
Brionna Jones (9)
Alyssa Thomas (12)
Mohegan Sun Arena 7–2
10
June 11
@ Atlanta
W 89–77
Brionna Jones (18)
Alyssa Thomas (12)
Alyssa Thomas (8)
Gateway Center Arena 8–2
11
June 15
Atlanta
L 88–92 (OT)
Brionna Jones (28)
Brionna Jones (13)
Alyssa Thomas (7)
Mohegan Sun Arena 8–3
12
June 18
@ Los Angeles
W 83–74
DeWanna Bonner (20)
DeWanna Bonner (9)
Alyssa Thomas (12)
Crypto.com Arena 9–3
13
June 20
@ Seattle
W 85–79
DeWanna Bonner (20)
Alyssa Thomas (15)
Alyssa Thomas (12)
Climate Pledge Arena 10–3
14
June 22
@ Minnesota
W 89–68
Tiffany Hayes (21)
Alyssa Thomas (9)
Olivia Nelson-Ododa (4)
Target Center 11–3
15
June 25
Chicago
W 96–72
DeWanna Bonner (26)
Alyssa Thomas (12)
Alyssa Thomas (11)
Mohegan Sun Arena 12–3
16
June 27
New York
L 81–89
DiJonai Carrington (23)
Alyssa Thomas (10)
Alyssa Thomas (10)
Mohegan Sun Arena 12–4
July
: 6–3 (Home: 3–1; Road: 3–2)
August
: 7–4 (Home: 3–2; Road: 4–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
26
August 1
Minnesota
W 79–69
Alyssa Thomas (21)
Alyssa Thomas (20)
Alyssa Thomas (12)
Mohegan Sun Arena 19–7
27
August 4
@ Indiana
W 88–72
Tiffany Hayes (18)
Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10)
Alyssa Thomas (8)
Gainbridge Fieldhouse 20–7
28
August 8
@ Seattle
W 81–69
DeWanna Bonner (21)
Alyssa Thomas (12)
Alyssa Thomas (8)
Climate Pledge Arena 21–7
29
August 10
@ Phoenix
L 84–90
Rebecca Allen (24)
Alyssa Thomas (11)
Alyssa Thomas (8)
Footprint Center 21–8
30
August 12
@ Dallas
L 81–91
Alyssa Thomas (26)
Alyssa Thomas (10)
Natisha Hiedeman (6)
College Park Center 21–9
31
August 18
Dallas
L 75–95
DeWanna Bonner (25)
DeWanna Bonner (12)
Alyssa Thomas (7)
Mohegan Sun Arena 21–10
32
August 20
@ Chicago
W 79–73
Alyssa Thomas (22)
Rebecca Allen (9)
Alyssa Thomas (8)
Wintrust Arena 22–10
33
August 22
@ Washington
W 68–64
Alyssa Thomas (22)
Alyssa Thomas (10)
DeWanna Bonner (5)
Entertainment and Sports Arena 23–10
34
August 24
New York
L 90–95 (OT)
DeWanna Bonner (30)
DeWanna Bonner (12)
Alyssa Thomas (12)
Mohegan Sun Arena 23–11
35
August 27
Los Angeles
W 83–68
Alyssa Thomas (17)
Olivia Nelson-Ododa (11)
Alyssa Thomas (8)
Mohegan Sun Arena 24–11
36
August 31
Phoenix
W 84–74
Harris Hiedman (18)
Alyssa Thomas (13)
Alyssa Thomas (8)
Mohegan Sun Arena 25–11
September
: 2–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 0–1)
2023 season schedule
2023 playoff game log
First Round vs. Minnesota
Semifinals vs. New York Liberty
2023 playoff schedule
Notes
(#) x – Clinched playoff berthe – Eliminated from postseason contentionSource: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings Bold Series winner
‡ Waived/Released during the season
† Traded during the season
≠ Acquired during the season
^ "Stephanie White Named Connecticut Sun Head Coach" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved November 23, 2022 .^ Voepel, M.A. "After leading Sun to Finals, Curt Miller leaving to coach Sparks" . ESPN.com . ESPN. Retrieved November 20, 2022 . ^ Philippou, Alexas. "New coach Stephanie White pledges fresh start for Sun" . ESPN.com . ESPN. Retrieved November 23, 2022 . ^ "Darius Taylor Named Connecticut Sun General Manager" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved December 1, 2022 .^ "Connecticut Sun Welcomes Abi Olajuwon as Assistant Coach" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved December 29, 2022 .^ "Connecticut Sun Welcomes Back Briann January as Assistant Coach" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved January 3, 2023 .^ @RachGall (January 11, 2023). "The Connecticut Sun have extended Qualifying Offers to Natisha Hiedeman and Joyner Holmes. @Winsidr" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "Connecticut Sun Acquire Rebecca Allen, Tyasha Harris and the No. 6 Pick in a Three-Team Trade" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved January 17, 2023 .^ "Sparks Acquire Guard Jasmine Thomas" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved January 17, 2023 .^ @alexaphilippou (January 15, 2023). "A source tells ESPN that the Connecticut Sun intend to core Brionna Jones. The last day to deliver core players designations is Friday" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "Joyner Holmes Accepts Qualifying Offer, Returning to Connecticut" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023 .^ "Natisha Hiedeman Returns to Connecticut" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Sign Mikiah Herbert Harrigan to Training Camp Contract" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 5, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Sign Kristine Anigwe and Lauren Cox to Training Camp Contracts" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Acquire Rights to Tiffany Hayes" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023 .^ "WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, Brionna Jones, returns to Connecticut" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 13, 2023 .^ @CTSunPR (February 15, 2023). "ROSTER UPDATE: Tiffany Hayes has officially signed a one-year deal with the team. Per team policies, no terms were announced" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "Connecticut Sun Sign Victoria Macaulay to Training Camp Contract" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Waives Jasmine Walker" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Waives Kristine Anigwe" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Sign Nirra Fields to Training Camp Contract" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Waives Joyner Holmes" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 22, 2023 .^ "The Connecticut Sun Sign Caitlin Bickle, Jayla Everett and Khaalia Hillsman to Training Camp Contracts" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2023 .^ "The Connecticut Sun Sign Lasha Petree to Training Camp Contract" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved April 29, 2023 .^ @CTSunPR (April 30, 2023). "ROSTER UPDATE: The Connecticut Sun have waived Lasha Petree" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "The Connecticut Sun Signs Diamond Battles to Training Camp Contract" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved May 4, 2023 .^ @CTSunPR (May 3, 2023). "ROSTER UPDATE: The Connecticut Sun has waived Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, Khaalia Hillsman and Kiara Smith" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ @CTSunPR (May 5, 2023). "ROSTER UPDATE: The Connecticut Sun Waives Victoria Macaulay" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ @RichardCohen1 (May 9, 2023). "Per source, the Connecticut Sun have exercised DiJonai Carrington's fourth-year option. Guarantees her $78,469 in 2024 and obviously makes it extremely unlikely she'll be cut this year. Story coming this week on remaining team-options and potential extensions around the #WNBA" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ @CTSunPR (May 10, 2023). "ROSTER UPDATE: Connecticut Sun Waives Diamond Battles, Alexis Morris and Ashten Prechtel" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "Ty Harris Signs Two-Year Extension with Connecticut Sun" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved May 18, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Waives Caitlin Bickle" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved May 18, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Waives Nia Clouden" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved May 18, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Waives Jayla Everett" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved May 18, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Acquires Leigha Brown in Trade with Atlanta Dream" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved May 18, 2023 .^ @CTSunPR (June 1, 2023). "ROSTER UPDATE: Connecticut Sun Waives Lauren Cox" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "Connecticut Sun Sign Liz Dixon" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved June 7, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Waives Liz Dixon" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved July 15, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun Sign Kristine Anigwe" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved July 21, 2023 .^ @RachGall (July 26, 2023). "The Connecticut Sun have signed Bernadett Határ to a Rest-of-Season contract. @Winsidr" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "Connecticut Sun Sign Kristine Anigwe- 8/18/23" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved August 21, 2023 .^ @WNBA (June 6, 2023). "AT can do it ALL‼️ @athomas_25 averaged a near triple-double in Week 2 with 14 PPG, 12 RPG, 9.7 APG to claim Eastern Conference Player of the Week 🗣️ #MoreThanGame" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ @WNBA (June 27, 2023). "🏀 Week 5 Players of the Week 🏀 Eastern Conference: @athomas_25 @connecticutsun 14.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 8.7 APG 3-0 week record Western Conference: @_ajawilson22 @lvaces 24.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG 2-0 week record #MoreThanGame" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ Goss, Nick (August 8, 2023). "Alyssa Thomas named East Player of the Week after making WNBA history" . sports.yahoo.com . NBC Sports . Retrieved August 8, 2023 . ^ a b "Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas, Washington Mystics' Elena Delle Donne Highlight Reserves For 2023 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game" . wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved July 1, 2023 .^ Bromberg, Lila (July 5, 2023). "Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month" . Hartford Courant . Retrieved July 8, 2023 . ^ Thomas, Lauren (September 11, 2023). "Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas earns award as top rebounder in regular season" . Boston Globe . Retrieved September 11, 2023 . ^ @WNBA (September 22, 2023). "Your 2023 WNBA All-Defensive First Team ⬇️ @_ajawilson22 @athomas_25 @BrittBundlez @breannastewart @jordin_canada #MoreThanGame" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "Kia WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart, Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year A'ja Wilson and Record-Setting Alyssa Thomas Headline 2023 All-WNBA First Team" . wnba.com (Press release). WNBA. October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023 .^ "Stephanie White Named May WNBA Coach of the Month" . sun.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved June 19, 2023 .^ "Connecticut Sun's Stephanie White Named 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year" (Press release). WNBA. September 17, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023 .
Franchise Arenas Head coaches Administration All-Stars Seasons Playoff appearances Conference titles / Rivals Media
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