With the playoffs out of reach for both teams, the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings will be looking to set the foundation for next season when they meet Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Both teams are coming off wins over playoff-bound opponents. Dallas' Skylar Diggins hit a key layup and two free throws in the final 20 seconds of the Wings' 84-81 win over the New York Liberty on Sunday. It was the second straight victory for Dallas following an 11-game losing streak that stretched into September and ended the Wings' playoff hopes.
The Sun (12-20) never fully recovered from a 2-10 start to the season, but they did play their best basketball in the final two months of the regular season.
They are coming off a comeback win over the Indiana Fever. Jasmine Thomas scored 21 points, and Connecticut rallied back from an 11-point deficit in the second half to pull out an 89-87 win over the Fever on Tuesday.
The Wings (11-21) have been incredibly balanced on offense, with Odyssey Sims (14.6 points per game) and Diggins (13.4 points per game) leading six Dallas players averaging double figures in scoring. Overall, Dallas is averaging 83.6 points per game, fourth most in the WNBA. They Wings have struggled on defense, though, surrendering 87.8 points to opponents, the most in the league.
The Sun also have struggled on the defensive end of the floor, surrendering 84.9 points to opponents, the 10th most among the 12 WNBA teams.
Connecticut won the two previous meetings with the Wings this season, including an 89-78 victory on July 20. Sun forward Chiney Ogwumike had a monster performance in the win, scoring a career-high 26 points and contributing 15 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals.
On the season, Ogwumike leads the team in rebounding and blocks. She is second on the team in scoring. Alex Bentley leads the team in scoring, averaging 12.9 points per game.
Dallas closes the season at Indiana on Saturday. Connecticut finishes the season against the Washington Mystics, who were eliminated from playoff contention Thursday with a loss to the Atlanta Dream.
