Daily Briefing — May 27, 2022: Sun clobber Wings in rematch

That film room is just one of seven reading recommendations I’ve got for you today — and despite that length, I cannot urge you strongly enough to read them all. Be it New York’s tenuous situation with rostering AD, a long investigation into Title IX compliance and the continued shortchanging of female athletes or the ever-intriguing “WNBA Dissected” newsletter, there was some serious work published yesterday that you ought to read.

But first, read:

• Our Jackie Powell dives into how the Liberty have handled AD’s return, reviews the film and looks at the bind New York is in
• I set up a film room to break down yesterday’s rematch between the Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun
• Our James Kay brings you the sights and sounds from the Sky’s championship-ring ceremony and the commissioner’s subsequent press conference
• Our Gabriela Carroll briefs you on Rutgers and new head coach Coquese Washington
• Kenny Jacobs et al. at USA Today investigated how top collegiate athletic departments are abusing federal guidelines to overstate their Title IX compliance — and it’s even worse than you’d think
• Her Hoop Stats’ Richard Cohen continues his “WNBA Dissected” with a look at Courtney Williams’ limitations, reasons for optimism in the Sun, fun lineup notes and more
• Gabe Ibrahim breaks down the film and stats behind Kelsey Plum’s second breakout for his Ball and Order newsletter, following yesterday’s story on the Aces point guard’s off-court approach from our Matthew Walter

W Roundup

Phoenix: Signed off-ball guard Karlie Samuelson to a hardship contract (a couple days ago, but I forgot to include that)

Watch List, Friday, May 27

(All times in Eastern, Game Of The Day in bold)

Los Angeles @ Indiana, 7 p.m., League Pass/Twitter (Local: Spectrum SportsNet, Indiana Fever Livestream)

New York @ Seattle, 10 p.m., League Pass (Local: YES, JOEtv/Amazon Prime video)

Thursday, May 26 recap

Connecticut beat Dallas, 99-68. The Sun jumped out to a 20-9 lead, but the game was tied as late as the mid-second quarter; Connecticut went on a 23-6 run across the late-third and early-fourth quarters. The Sun out-shot the Wings by 11.7 percentage points from the field, while taking 15 more free-throws (and only missing two); the teams combined for 26 offensive rebounds, second-most this season per Across The Timeline; Connecticut notched 12 steals, part of 19 forced turnovers; Dallas committed 20 fouls.

Combo guard Natisha Hiedeman led the Sun with 17 points on 4-for-7 from three (1-3 from two), three rebounds, six assists, and three steals; big wing DeWanna Bonner had 18 points on 7-for-16 from the field and 2-for-7 from three, six rebounds, and two assists against two turnovers; backup center Brionna Jones notched 15 points on 5-for-9 FG, seven rebounds (two assists), and no turnovers; off-ball guard DiJonai Carrington tallied 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting (0-2 3pt., 5-6 FT), five rebounds (three offensive), three assists, and two steals against three turnovers.

The Wings were led by big wing Satou Sabally’s 18 points on 6-for-16 from the field and 2-for-7 from three, four rebounds, and two assists against three turnovers and four fouls in 30 minutes; off-ball guard Arike Ogunbowale had 16 points on 6-for-15 shooting (2-6 3pt.), two assists, and three steals against five turnovers.

TDB Dallas center minutes distribution watch: Isabelle Harrison, 18; Teaira McCowan, season-high 14; Satou Sabally, nine; Kayla Thornton, one; Awak Kuier, zero (five at forward). Charli Collier did not play.