Sun (14-9) have little trouble with Indiana in 16-point victory

Connecticut’s Jonquel Jones (35), the WNBA’s leading rebounder, pulled down 13 rebounds and had 14 points as the Sun easily took care of Indiana in Uncasville on Sunday, 83-79.

UNCASVILLE, Conn., July 30 –The Connecticut Sun are thinking playoffs. And not only are the Sun concerned with securing a berth but getting home court advantage, too.

A year ago, the WNBA unveiled a new playoff format with the top eight teams in the league – regardless of conference – earning a spot in the playoffs. The Sun (14-9) are currently the third seed in the playoffs after Sunday’s 89-73 win over Indiana at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

But they are tied with Washington (14-9) and Phoenix (13-10) and New York (12-10) are right behind the Sun. Phoenix and UConn legend Diana Taurasi visit Uncasville on Friday night at 7 p.m.

Connecticut is currently three games behind No. 2 seed Los Angeles (17-6), the defending WNBA champions, with 11 games remaining. Finish with the No. 3 or No. 4 seed and you’ll get a bye in the first round (single elimination) plus a home game. That’s important since the second round is also single elimination.

The Sun had little trouble with Indiana on Sunday before 6,145 fans with five players in double figures. Jasmine Thomas led the way with 15 points while Jonquel Jones, the league’s top rebounder, had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Alyssa Thomas had 14 points, eight assists and pulled down five rebounds. Alex Bentley had 11 points while Courtney Williams had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.

“Their attention to detail on our game plan and schemes on both sides of the ball was really impressive,” Sun coach Curt Miller. “We ran, we turned them over more than most people do, and got the running game going when they started to miss a few shots. The big key was keeping them out of the paint. Couldn’t be more proud of the way we played.”

Connecticut finished with 32 field goals, including 19 in the first half. The Sun had a season-high 14 assists and nine steals in the first half as they raced out to a 47-28 lead at halftime.

The Sun led Indiana by as much as 38 points and began the fourth quarter with an 80-45 lead. “Overall, for three quarters, really, really good basketball,” Miller said.

Connecticut raced out to an early 16-4 lead over Indiana and led 27-8 with 1:39 left in the first quarter. Jones had 10 of her 13 rebounds in the first half while Alyssa Thomas had 12 of her 14 points in the first two quarters. Jasmine Thomas had 10 of her 15 points in the first half.

In the third quarter, Connecticut dropped the hammer on Indiana, outscoring the Fever, 33-17 thanks in part to six 3-point goals. Bentley scored nine of her 11 points in the third quarter with three 3-point shots.

“Jonquel Jones is a different player that can stretch the floor for them,” Indiana coach Pokey Chatman said/ “I am biased to point guards, but I am happy Jasmine Thomas is getting the recognition she deserves. She can be an All-Star at both ends of the floor. You look at Alyssa Thomas, she plays multiple positions and she effects both sides of the ball. When you get some momentum and some wins you relax a little bit and you play well.”

Connecticut played well defensively, forcing 18 Indiana turnovers, resulting in 23 points for the Sun. “We dug a 12-foot hole but only had a seven-foot ladder,” Chatman said.

Miller didn’t address Connecticut’s playoff aspirations. He is focused on how his team will be performing down the stretch – beginning with Friday’s key game with Phoenix. The Mercury would be the fifth seed if the WNBA playoffs began today but just one game behind Connecticut.

“Well, we’ve got to do the little things. We’re not going to talk about end results, not going to talk about wins and losses as much as the process to get us there. We’re scout heavy, we’re going to focus on other teams’ schemes, we’re going to focus on our own schemes, and we’re going to try to peak at the right time,” he said.

“If there’s anything I’ve done as a head coach through my career, it’s finding ways to peak at the right time. We finished strong last year. We have an opportunity, if we can get hot in August, that’s our goal, because I really feel like you have to try and peak at the right time with the playoffs looming in September,” Miller said.

The Sun last made the WNBA playoffs in 2012 under former head coach Mike Thibault.