NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Jonquel Jones and the Connecticut Sun fell behind 0-1 in their Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals series against the Washington Mystics on Sunday night.
The Sun, who are in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2005, dropped game one of the best-of-five series 95-86.
Jones had 12 points on 5-8 shooting from the field in the loss. Alyssa Thomas and Courtney Williams had twenty points each for the Sun.
After averaging 21 points in the semifinals against the Los Angeles Sparks, Jones played just 28 minutes on Sunday, with Sun coach Curt Miller electing to go with a smaller lineup.
“I don’t know how many shots I had, but it didn’t feel like it was too many,” Jones said following the loss. “It was just the rhythm of the game, honestly.”
The Mystics jumped out to a 10-3 run, as Ariel Atkins scored the Mystics first five points on her own.
The Sun struggled with turnovers in the first quarter, allowing Washington to build on the early lead. The Mystics ended the first on a 12-0 run, taking a 30-17 lead entering the second.
The Sun did manage to bring themselves within nine to end the quarter, closing the half down 55-46. However, the team never got any closer for the remainder of the game.
Elle Delle Donne got the better of Jones in game one. She finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes of action. Atkins added 21 points and five rebounds and Kristi Oliver chipped in with 18.
Connecticut can tie the series at one game apiece in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals at Entertainment and Sports Arena on Tuesday.
