Sun eliminate Sky from playoffs, book date with Fever

The Connecticut Sun got 12 points and 12 rebounds from DiJonai Carrington and beat Chicago 87-54 Thursday in Uncasville, Conn., eliminating the Sky from playoff contention on the final night of the WNBA's regular season

Carrington was one of six players to score in double figures for the Sun (28-12), who enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. Ty Harris led Connecticut with 15 points, Alyssa Thomas had 13 points and seven assists, Marina Mabrey and Olivia Nelson-Ododa each had 12 points, and DeWanna Bonner chipped in 11.

The Sky (13-27) end the season on a five-game losing streak and will miss the postseason for the first time since 2018. Undermanned and injured, the Sky continued to play without star rookies Angel Reese (wrist) and Kamilla Cardoso (shoulder), as well as key veterans Chennedy Carter (foot) and Diamond DeShields (ankle). Dana Evans led Chicago with 14 points off the bench while Isabelle Harrison had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Despite their depleted roster, the Sky kept pace with the Sun in the first half, tying the game up 29-29 midway through the second quarter. Connecticut then ended the period on a 17-6 run. Thomas had nine points and two assists during that crucial stretch for the Sun.

Connecticut then pulled away for good when it outscored Chicago 23-6 in the third quarter, a run highlighted by a pair of deep 3-pointers from Mabrey.

The Sun shot 50 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from 3-point land, compared to respective marks of 33.9 and 28.6 percent from the Sky. Connecticut also won the rebounding battle by 13 and outscored Chicago 17-0 on fast breaks and 42-24 in the paint.

Connecticut will host the Indiana Fever in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.

--Field Level Media