BRIONNA JONES

SYDNEY — (AP) — Brionna Jones scored 24 points, A'ja Wilson added 20 and the U.S. used a dominant inside effort for a record performance in a 145-69 win over South Korea on Monday in the World Cup. It broke the highest scoring game in World Cup history, surpassing the 143 points Brazil had in 1990. The U.S. (4-0), which has been playing stellar defense, was challenged by South Korea early. A few minutes earlier they broke the field goals made record of 47 set also against South Korea in 1994. Despite the rout, South Korea (1-3) can still advance to the quarterfinals with a win over Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Breanna Stewart scored 22 points and Alyssa Thomas had 14 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in her debut for the United States, which beat Belgium 87-72 in its World Cup opener.

The Connecticut Sun might be down one game in the WNBA Finals after losing their first series opener of the postseason, but they haven’t lost confidence thanks to a stringent defensive effort in Game 1.

A’ja Wilson had 24 points and 11 rebounds and the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun 67-64 on Sunday in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals The Aces staved off a late run by the Sun, who erased a seven-point deficit with 1:24 left when Alyssa Thomas hit back-to-back shots to pull Connecticut within three.

DeWanna Bonner and Courtney Williams each scored 19 points to help the Connecticut Sun rout the Chicago Sky 104-80 and force a decisive Game 5 in their WNBA playoffs semifinal series.

The Connecticut Sun are finally returning home after spending almost two weeks on the road. The Sun will host the Chicago Sky for the next two games of their WNBA playoffs semifinal series, which is tied 1-1. Connecticut went to Dallas in the first round and beat the Wings in the decisive Game 3 to advance to the semifinals. Instead of coming home, the Sun flew to Chicago to get ready for the series with the Sky. “It’s a huge game, opportunity for us.” Sun head coach Curt Miller said.

The Connecticut Sun are finally returning home after spending 10 days on the road.

Following Brittney Griner’s sentencing in Russia to nine years in prison Thursday, WNBA players, coaches and fans locked arms and tried to send the American basketball star strength during a moment of silence.

WNBA Aces Sun Basketball Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) gets the offensive rebound over teammate Brionna Jones (42) and Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) during a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) (Sean D. Elliot)The All-Star break came at a good time for the Las Vegas Aces and since play resumed they've been on a roll. Las Vegas has won three straight — all on the road — averaging 102 points a game in those victories. Las Vegas won 13 of its first 15 games before stumbling prior to the All-Star break with five losses in seven games. Las Vegas (18-7): Riquna Williams has lately been providing solid minutes off the bench, averaging 7.2 points this season to give the Aces a spark. Kahleah Copper of Chicago, Breanna Stewart of Seattle, Kelsey Plum of Las Vegas and Jonquel Jones of Connecticut also received votes.

Connecticut Sky v Las Vegas Aces LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 02: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Jonquel Jones #35 of the Connecticut Sun during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Preseason predictions:Breanna Stewart (2), Kahleah CopperWho else but A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart leading the race for another MVP each? She's second in blocks (2.1 bpg), has the best efficiency rating and is vital to the Aces' league-leading offense. She's averaging 13.8 ppg on 58% shooting (best of any bench player to qualify for the award) and adds 4.6 rpg and 1.2 spg. The sides split the two games in Las Vegas over Memorial Day weekend in May.

Sky Aces Basketball Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) drives around Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (John Locher)NEW YORK — (AP) — Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans, as the trio was selected Tuesday as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago. But Diana Taurasi won’t be in Chicago, left off the All-Star list for the first time in her career when healthy. Jones is the only player to make the All-Star Game this season while coming off the bench. Chicago's James Wade will coach one team, while Las Vegas' Becky Hammon will lead the other.

Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans as the trio was selected as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago.

With the game tied at 93, Candace Parker scored on a layup off a neat pass from Vandersloot for her record-breaking assist. Connecticut couldn't recover, scoring only its second basket of the second OT on Brionna Jones' jumper with 13.7 seconds left that made it 98-95. With the game tied at 91 in the first OT, the Sky dribbled the clock down before Brionna Jones stole the ball. I want to be visible,” said Miller, who was honored as the league's Coach of the Year for the second time in his career. “I didn't want to be the gay coach," he said.

Jonquel Jones is no stranger to winning Associated Press WNBA awards.

With less than a week remaining before the WNBA begins its Olympic break, teams are jockeying for position in the standings knowing that it will be a sprint to the finish once play resumes in August following the Tokyo Games and a monthlong hiatus.

Parker, who was not chosen for the 2016 Olympic team after helping the U.S. win gold medals in 2008 and 2012, was chosen for her sixth All-Star appearance. The WNBA team will be co-coached by Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson. It's a record 12th All-Star Game for Bird and 10th for Taurasi — tying her with Tamika Catchings for second most all-time. This is the first time that the league has held an All-Star Game in an Olympic year since 2000. The WNBA played an exhibition in New York in 2004 at Radio City Music Hall, but it wasn’t considered an All-Star Game.