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The Connecticut Sun have been consistent contenders for years, earning the label of "best team never to win a championship." But another playoff exit in 2024 raises serious questions about their ceiling and whether their championship window is closing. Despite boasting one of the league's best rosters with Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and DiJonai Carrington, the Sun couldn't break through when it mattered most.
Connecticut's half-court offense stagnated in crucial playoff moments, and their lack of elite three-point shooting proved costly against elite defenses who packed the paint. With key players aging and Carrington hitting free agency, this offseason could determine whether Connecticut remains a contender or enters a transitional phase. The margin between championship glory and disappointing exits is razor thin, and the Sun are running out of chances to get it right.
The Sun finished the regular season 28-12, good for 2nd place in the Eastern Conference. By most measures, it was a successful campaign. They played suffocating defense (2nd in defensive rating), controlled the boards (1st in rebounding), and showed excellent chemistry. On paper, Connecticut had all the ingredients for a championship run.
But the playoffs told a different story. After winning their first-round series, the Sun ran into the Liberty in the semifinals and lost 3-2 in a series that felt winnable. Game 5, played at home with a raucous crowd, ended in heartbreak as the Sun's offense went cold in the fourth quarter. The same issues that had plagued them in previous playoff runs resurfaced at the worst possible time.
Connecticut's offensive identity has always been built on defense, rebounding, and transition opportunities. When they can run, they're one of the most dangerous teams in the league. Alyssa Thomas pushing the ball, DeWanna Bonner filling lanes, and DiJonai Carrington attacking in space—that's when the Sun are at their best.
The problem comes in half-court settings against set defenses. The Sun's offensive weaknesses become glaring:
In the semifinals against the Liberty, these limitations were exploited mercilessly. New York packed the paint, dared the Sun to shoot threes, and Connecticut couldn't make them pay. They shot just 28.9% from beyond the arc in the series while New York shot 39.1%. That 10-point difference was the series.
Alyssa Thomas is one of the most unique and valuable players in the WNBA. Her versatility, basketball IQ, and all-around impact make her irreplaceable. She averaged 10.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.9 steals per game—an incredible stat line that demonstrates her ability to affect every aspect of the game.
I'll do whatever it takes to win. Score, pass, rebound, defend—I don't care about individual stats. All that matters is getting this team to a championship. We've come close so many times. We just have to figure out how to get over that final hurdle.
But Thomas's lack of a consistent jump shot creates spacing problems in playoff basketball. Defenses can sag off her, clog driving lanes, and force other players to beat them. Her 27.8% three-point shooting on limited attempts means opponents don't respect her perimeter game.
This isn't a criticism of Thomas—she's a transcendent talent who impacts winning in countless ways. But in the modern WNBA, having a primary ball-handler who doesn't space the floor creates structural offensive issues that elite defenses can exploit. The Sun's front office must figure out how to build an offense that maximizes Thomas's strengths while compensating for her limitations.
Connecticut's three-point shooting has been a persistent weakness for multiple seasons. They finished 11th in three-point percentage and 10th in three-point attempts, reflecting both an inability to knock down shots and a system that doesn't emphasize outside shooting.
The roster's shooting profile tells the story:
The Mabrey trade midseason was supposed to address depth issues, but it cost them their best three-point shooter. That decision haunted them in the playoffs when they desperately needed floor spacing. You can't win championships in modern basketball without multiple knockdown shooters, and the Sun don't have enough.
DeWanna Bonner has been a cornerstone of the Sun for years, providing veteran leadership, clutch scoring, and defensive versatility. At 37, she's still productive, averaging 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. But the decline is noticeable, particularly in the playoffs where the intensity ramps up.
Bonner's athleticism isn't what it once was. She can't consistently create separation off the dribble or finish through contact against younger, more athletic defenders. Her three-point shooting remains solid, but her overall efficiency has dipped. Most concerning is her defensive impact—opponents targeted her in pick-and-roll situations and isolation matchups.
This isn't meant to diminish Bonner's contributions or legacy. She's been phenomenal for Connecticut and remains a valuable player. But championship teams need their second or third option to be in their prime, not managing decline. The Sun are running out of time with this core.
One bright spot for Connecticut was DiJonai Carrington's breakout season. The third-year guard emerged as a legitimate two-way force, averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while playing All-Defensive level defense. Her improvement was one of the league's most pleasant surprises.
Carrington's athleticism, defensive versatility, and improved offensive confidence give the Sun a building block for the future. She can guard multiple positions, attack in transition, and make open threes at a respectable rate. If Connecticut is smart, they'll do everything possible to retain her in free agency.
The question is whether Carrington is a second option on a championship team or a third/fourth option who needs more talent around her. Her offensive game still has limitations—she's not an elite shooter or shot creator. But at 26 years old, she's young enough to continue developing and fit into a championship window if Connecticut adds the right pieces.
Curt Miller's departure and Stephanie White's arrival brought changes to Connecticut's system and culture. White is a respected coach with a championship pedigree, but the transition wasn't seamless. The offense looked disjointed at times, and late-game execution was inconsistent.
To be fair, White inherited a roster with structural limitations and did well to get them to the semifinals. But championship coaches need to find ways to maximize their talent and overcome weaknesses through scheme and adjustments. The Sun's offensive stagnation in crucial playoff moments raises questions about whether White's system can unlock this group's potential.
Connecticut faces crucial decisions this offseason with several key players hitting free agency. DiJonai Carrington is the most important—losing her would be devastating. But they also have decisions to make about role players and whether to run it back with the same core or make significant changes.
The salary cap complicates matters. The Sun don't have infinite flexibility to add missing pieces. They're committed to expensive contracts for Thomas and Bonner, limiting their ability to add elite three-point shooters or dynamic scorers. Tough decisions about the roster's future construction are coming.
For the Sun to break through, several things must happen:
This is the uncomfortable question Connecticut must face: how much longer can they compete at this level with their current core? Alyssa Thomas is 32 and has a lot of miles on her body. DeWanna Bonner is 37. The window won't stay open forever.
The optimistic view is that adding the right pieces around Thomas, retaining Carrington, and better offensive execution could push them over the top. They've come close multiple times; maybe one or two moves make the difference.
The pessimistic view is that this core has a ceiling below championship level. The offensive limitations are structural, not fixable with minor tweaks. If they can't win now with this talent, maybe it's time to transition toward the next era rather than chase diminishing returns.
The Connecticut Sun remain a well-run organization with excellent coaching, a strong culture, and talented players. They'll be competitive next season and likely make the playoffs again. But being competitive isn't enough—this franchise deserves a championship.
The margin for error is shrinking. Bonner is aging. Thomas can't do everything forever. If they don't maximize this window soon, they might look back with regret at chances missed. The WNBA is unforgiving; windows close faster than you think.
This offseason will tell us whether Connecticut believes they can win with this core or whether it's time for a painful but necessary transition. Either way, the clock is ticking. Championship windows don't stay open forever, and the Sun's window is narrowing.
The question isn't whether Connecticut is a good team—they clearly are. The question is whether being consistently good is enough, or whether they need to take risks and make bold moves to become great. That decision will define the franchise's next chapter.
