Storm vs Sun Betting Odds: Connecticut Moving Forward Without Jones

Looking to rebound from back-to-back losses to WNBA favorites New York and Las Vegas, the Connecticut Sun will host the Seattle Storm Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena. Connecticut is still among the league’s best teams, though it’ll be without a pivotal piece to its roster for the remainder of the season.

After opening as a 7.5-point favorite, Connecticut is up to -9.5 and -500 on the moneyline, with Seattle priced at +400. The projected total has jumped from 162.5 to 165. Let’s break down the Storm vs Sun betting odds in our game preview.

Regrouping Without Jones

Two-time WNBA All-Star Brionna Jones will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon, dealing a crucial blow to the Connecticut Sun’s WNBA championship hopes. Jones suffered the injury during Connecticut’s 85-79 victory over Seattle on June 20. She underwent surgery three days later.

The Sun, who reached the WNBA Finals last season, are off to a 12-5 start. They’re currently percentage points behind the Liberty for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Jones’ injury significantly affects Connecticut’s long term outlook. Jones has developed into a standout forward in recent years, earning back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2021 and 2022.

She also won the 2021 WNBA Most Improved Player Award and was named WNBA Sixth Player of the Year in 2022. In 13 games this season, the 6-foot-3 Jones was averaging 15.9 points on 57.1% shooting to go with 8.2 rebounds. She’s also fourth in the league in steals per game (1.8).

The Sun are still in the title conversation. However, at +1500 on the oddsboard, they remain a distant third behind the WNBA’s two “Super Teams.” Las Vegas is currently the -225 favorite, followed by New York at +235. For comparison’s sake, the Sun were +2600 in the preseason and +1400 last month.

Without Jones, there is more pressure on both Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner to produce. Fortunately, they’ve been up to task. Bonner is averaging a team-high 17.7 points, while Thomas leads the WNBA in steals (2.1) and is second in rebounding (10.1).

Thomas already has three triple-doubles this season and an WNBA-record five for her career. She was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June. Keep that in mind as you assess the Storm vs Sun betting odds.

Reinforcements Coming for Seattle

Gabby Williams is expected to join Seattle for its upcoming East Coast trip after re-signing with the team on Monday. Williams, a 2018 top-5 pick, had been playing professionally in France. Because of the WNBA’s prioritization rules, her status with Seattle had been in doubt.

Williams started all 36 games for Seattle in 2022, averaging 7.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting a career-best 44.4% from the floor. The 5-11 forward earned WNBA Second Team All-Defensive honors, helping lead Seattle to the WNBA semifinals.

Following the offseason departures of Sue Bird (retired) and Breanna Stewart (signed with New York), Seattle is now in a rebuild. The Storm entered Wednesday with a 4-12 record, second-worst in the league behind 3-12 Phoenix. They’ve lost three straight and five of six. At this point, they’re close to a certainty to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Handicapping the Game

Jones’ injury was devastating. There’s no way around it. Bonner and Thomas now have significantly more responsibility on their shoulders. Connecticut is still good enough to get back to the WNBA Finals, but it’ll be that much harder without Jones manning the paint. That said, Seattle shouldn’t be much of an issue here.

Jewell Loyd has been outstanding for the Storm, separating herself as a legitimate go-to player in the post-Bird/Stewart era. Loyd, the No. 1 overall pick in 2015, leads the WNBA in scoring (25.8) and 3-pointers made per game (3.5). Still, Connecticut is deeper and more talented across the board. Connecticut is shaping up to be a heavy favorite in the Storm vs Sun betting odds.

For WNBA predictions, betting news, odds and more, visit pointspreads.com

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