Connecticut

Sun

Mabrey suffered a left knee injury during Connecticut’s June 20 game against Dallas, with the issue keeping her out of Sunday’s loss to Golden State. Tuesday afternoon, the Sun announced that she’ll miss at least 2-4 weeks. Bria Hartley started against the Valkyries and will likely retain that spot until Mabrey returns, while Lindsay Allen should also pick up additional playing time.

Sheldon was one of only two Connecticut players to score in double figures on Sunday. Her 29 minutes were second on the team, and she nailed a pair of three-point shots and dished a couple of assists. Sheldon’s performance on Sunday, while not spectacular, gave her a third straight game of double-digit scoring and marked her fourth such game over the past five. Connecticut now holds a 2-12 record and has a lot to figure out as the season progresses, but Sheldon has proven recently to be a reliable scoring presence, despite the team’s struggles.

After scoring in double figures in consecutive games, the rookie forward found her way into the Sun’s starting lineup on Sunday. She tallied another double-digit scoring performance, although the blowout loss likely played a part in her receiving just 16 minutes of game action, which prevented her from even more production. It should be noted that Morrow’s first start coincided with Marina Mabrey’s first missed game of the season. It’s possible this production could be short-lived if Morrow can’t hold on to this role when Mabrey returns.

A blowout loss limited Charles’ minutes Sunday and prevented her from scoring in double digits for the third time this season. The Sun was outscored by 24 points in the second quarter to expand their deficit to 27 points at halftime. From there, Charles logged only five more minutes the rest of the way. Still, she finished as one of Connecticut’s two leading rebounders and managed to secure a couple of blocked shots in her limited action. The Sun will likely need to play in more competitive games for the veteran center to provide fantasy managers with value.

On the heels of back-to-back double-digit scoring outings, Morrow has been inserted into the Sun’s starting unit, likely due to Marina Mabrey (knee) missing her first game of the season. Connecticut has lost five consecutive games and enters Sunday’s contest with the WNBA’s worst record. With Morrow and Saniya Rivers starting, the Sun hopes the two rookies can play a role in getting the team back in the win column.

Initially questionable with a left knee injury, Mabrey will sit out the first game of Connecticut’s road trip. Her absence leaves a sizable hole in the Sun starting lineup, as the veteran guard is one of two players averaging double figures in scoring. While Bria Hartley has started games this season, Lindsay Allen is another possibility to fill the void left by Mabrey.

Due to a left knee injury, Mabrey is not guaranteed to be available for the first game of Connecticut’s road trip. If she cannot play, that would be a significant loss for the Sun to deal with, as the veteran guard is the team’s second-leading scorer. Either Bria Hartley or Lindsay Allen would likely move into the starting lineup if Mabrey sits.

The degree of difficulty for a majority of Mabrey’s shots contributed to her inefficiency on Friday night against the wings. She tried to drive and score in a clogged paint in addition to taking shots where she didn’t have much separation. The two field goals she made were either off the catch or as a result of a screening action. With 2:37 left in the second quarter, Mabrey hit a step-back three on the left wing that came as a result from a screen from teammate Haley Peters that gave her more room to set her shot. While her shot wasn’t falling, she still found a way to facilitate. She found Jacy Sheldon in transition, and Charles in her spots near the basket. Toward the end of second quarter, Mabrey’s left knee buckled, and during halftime she was ruled as questionable to return. She returned to start in the third quarter, however, playing 13 of her 29 minutes in the second half.

Morrow took advantage of her opportunity for the second game in a row, scoring in double digits in the second straight game. Morrow’s field goals came in the second half while being guarded by smaller wing Dijonai Carrington. The rookie has begun to show that her motor to rebound the basketball has translated over to the pros as her seven rebounds were the most from any player on the Sun. Morrow’s three assists on Friday night proved that she has solid decision making skills from the forward spot, and she knows when to pass the ball out for a better shot.

Charles had a bounce back game against the Wings after only scoring 2 points in 15 minutes a couple of days ago against the Mercury. She found her way to the line five times on Friday night against the Wings. The second quarter was her most productive, responsible for 36% of the Sun’s total points with 9 in addition to four of her six total rebounds. She took advantage of the smaller and less athletic post players that the Wings employ, getting to her kill zones at ease including a 9-foot fadeaway jumper off one leg.