Sun take down Mystics in showdown of East leaders

DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas and Courtney Williams all scored 14 points and the Connecticut Sun beat Washington 79-71 on Saturday night to move past the Mystics atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Williams had a season-high seven assists, Thomas added 10 rebounds and six assists but committed a career-high tying seven of Connecticut's 18 turnovers. Brionna Jones had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Sun (6-2).

Connecticut scored the final 10 points in a 15-2 run to take a 77-68 lead when Williams made a short jumper — assisted by Thomas — with 2:33 to play. The Mystics missed seven consecutive field-goal attempts during that stretch and made just 2 of 12 after Rui Machida hit a 3-pointer with 6:13 left.

Kennedy Burke and Ariel Atkins scored 13 points apiece, Elizabeth Williams added 12 and Tianna Hawkins 10 for Washington (6-3).

Connecticut coach Curt Miller and assistant coach Brandi Poole, along with forward Joyner Holmes, weren't available due to health and safety protocols. Chris Coclanes served coach in Miller's absence and got a win in his first game as an (acting) head coach. Jasmine Thomas missed her third game after suffering a season-ending knee injury in a win over the Indiana Fever last Sunday.

Washington's Alysha Clark (COVID) and Elena Delle Donne (rest) did not play.

Aces' Wilson, Hamby shine in win over Sky

A'ja Wilson had 22 points and 16 rebounds, Dearica Hamby added 14 and 12, and the Las Vegas beat the defending-champion Chicago Sky 83-76 on Saturday for the Aces' sixth consecutive win.

Kelsey Plum had 19 points, Chelsea Gray added 18 points and Jackie Young finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks for Las Vegas (8-1).

Gray hit three free throws to spark a 10-0 run that made it 39-29 midway through the second quarter and the Aces led the rest of the way. Las Vegas took a 51-38 lead into halftime, led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter and had a 10-point lead with four minutes to play.

Courtney Vandersloot had 12 points and nine rebounds, Kahleah Copper also scored 12 points and Candace Parker added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Sky (4-3). Rebekah Gardner also scored 11 points and Azura Stevens added seven points and a season-high 10 rebounds.

Chicago missed 18 consecutive three-point shots after Candace Parker made a three that pulled Chicago within a point with a minute left in the first quarter. Courtney Vandersloot snapped the streak with a three-pointer that trimmed Chicago's deficit to 70-62 midway through the fourth quarter.

The Sky finished shooting 34.6 per cent from three-point range.