New York Liberty vs Connecticut Sun Odds Preview: New York, New Sun?
New York Looks To Go 2-0 Versus Shorthanded Connecticut
Betting Odds Dimming the Jones-less Sun
The Connecticut Sun took a big loss as star forward Brionna Jones injured her Achilles and is out for the year. As such, New York enters as an opportune favorite (-4) per the New York Liberty vs Connecticut Sun odds. The Liberty are just 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 games against the Sun. But without Jones, the Sun will be harder pressed to slow New York’s dynamic duo.
Game Information
New York Liberty (9-3) vs Connecticut Sun (12-3)
Date, time:
Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Stewart-Ionescu are Dominant But Can’t Do It By Themselves
Breanna Stewart is doing just fine in her new city. The 2018 MVP is the favorite by Las Vegas to win her second this year. However, one can argue that Sabrina Ionescu is the team’s “real” MVP. Stewart has quickly developed chemistry with the Liberty star. They’ve combined to average 39.6 points, 16.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists. But a loss to Atlanta showed a potential weakness.
The Liberty got upset by the Atlanta Dream with Ionsecu sitting out. In this game, Stewart played her worst as she went 1-of-14 and committed four turnovers. And in games where teams found a way to minimize Ionescu’s production, the Liberty struggled.
Ionescu had just two assists when New York got blown out in its season opener against Washington. And in both games against Chicago, Ionescu shot a combined 3-of-16 from the field and just 1-of-9 from 3-point range.
The Liberty are 9-3 and have the league’s second-best offensive rating (109) and net rating (+9.9). However, the Liberty have often been upset and are just 5-6-1 against the spread (ATS). If the team is to cover the New York Liberty vs Connecticut Sun odds, both Ionescu will need to get going.
Additionally, Jonquel Jones will need a better performance against her old team. She got into foul trouble the last time and was held to just seven points and three boards in over 16 minutes. The 2021 MVP also plays an integral role in helping New York reached its lofty WNBA predictions.
Can Sun Rise Without Jones?
Losing your MVP can be the death knell to your season. But the Sun will have to be resilient without Jones, who is now on the WNBA injury report for the rest of the year. Jones averaged 15.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and shot 57.1% from the field. Using advanced stats, she was also the team leader in PER (23.3) and win shares per 40 minutes (.246).
“We are heartbroken for Breezy,” Sun head coach Stephanie White said. “Anyone who knows her, knows she’s an amazing person, teammate and leader for our group.”
Life without Jones will begin with a heavier workload for DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas. The former leads the team in scoring (18 points per game) and the latter leads in rebounding (10.5 per game). Rebecca Allen has also slotted into Jones’s spot in the starting lineup.
The 6’2” guard averaged 6.5 points, three boards, and a whopping 2.5 blocks in her 26 minutes. The blocks are unsustainable. But increased confidence in the Australian goes a long way in helping her shorthanded team.
The Sun are still in the running to win the title at 14-1 on the odds. They are 12-3, and two of these losses came against Vegas and New York, the two favorites. While Jones played a pivotal role on both ends of the floor, the Sun have enough to still go on a run. It starts by upsetting the New York Liberty vs Connecticut Sun odds. Connecticut has won six of its last seven games hosting New York. So there is a fair chance of an upset here.
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