Brionna Jones is about to experience her own “Sunset game” on Thursday when the Atlanta Dream visit Uncasville at 7 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass. Just last Friday night, Alyssa Thomas got her final send-off from the Connecticut Sun, playing for the Phoenix Mercury. Now it’s Jones’s turn, and man, this one hits different.
The Rise of a Quiet Powerhouse
Jones was drafted 8th overall by the Sun back in 2017, and for eight seasons, she was the definition of consistency. While Thomas brought that bombastic, physical, “where there’s a will, there’s a way” style, Jones was the quiet engine, combining adaptability with rock-solid play that kept the Sun at the top of the league year after year. Her breakout truly started in the 2020 Bubble. She stepped up as a full-time starter for the first time in her career and instantly became the league’s most efficient finisher, dropping a ridiculous 60.5 percent from the field. That’s just wild efficiency for someone getting their first real shot!
MVP-Level Support and Sixth Player Brilliance
Then came 2021, and Jones absolutely exploded. With Thomas sidelined by an Achilles injury for all but three games, Jones became the essential frontcourt partner to MVP-winning Jonquel Jones. Her efforts didn’t just keep the team afloat, they helped the Sun clinch a league-best 26-6 record! She earned Most Improved Player and snagged the first of her three All-Star honors with Connecticut. The way she scaled up her role, maintaining elite efficiency and winning impact even without Thomas, truly showcased her value. But get this: in 2022, when Thomas returned, Jones went *back to the bench*. No complaints! Just the same consistent production that elevated Connecticut every time she stepped on the court. She snagged Sixth Player of the Year honors and was an All-Star again, despite only starting seven games. Her traditional stats might have been modest, but the advanced numbers screamed her impact: the Sun offense was the best in the league during Breezy’s minutes, hitting a 124.6 offensive rating! She was the second-best offensive rebounder in the league, still finishing efficiently, doing all the thankless work that got Connecticut to the WNBA Finals.
A Legacy Etched in Consistency
It’s tough knowing her Connecticut career wrapped up after just 13 games in 2023 due to a torn Achilles. But what a run it was. Brionna Jones leaves behind a legacy of quiet excellence, a player who embodied adaptability and pure, unadulterated impact. So, on Thursday, tune in at 7 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass. Watch Jones hit the court for what’s described as a final visit. It’s a chance to say goodbye to one of the most fundamentally sound, consistently impactful players who ever wore a Sun jersey, a true legend in Uncasville. It’s the end of an era, and you don’t wanna miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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