The two biggest questions about the WNBA Finals at this point are both centered around Elena Delle Donne.

The first is the most obvious one: Will the 2019 WNBA MVP play in Game #3? Delle Donne left Game #2 after playing less than four minutes with what was called back spasms at the time. That’s since been officially diagnosed as a herniated disc in her back, and as far as I can tell, EDD is still listed by the Washington Mystics as questionable for Sunday’s Game #3. Delle Donne is averaging 17.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game in the playoffs..... aaaafter only registering one rebound before leaving in Game #2.

The other question is EDD-centric, but involves another player: Did Jonquel Jones just go nuts because she went nuts or did Delle Donne’s absence give her the space and freedom to go nuts? The Connecticut Sun star went for 32 points, 18 rebounds, an assist, and three blocks in just 33 minutes of action in Game #2 to even the Finals at one game each. When Jones went to the bench with foul trouble in the later stages of the game, the Mystics made a push. When Jones returned, it was curtains for Washington.

Can we expect the same kind of performance from Jones? Is it because she’s not being defended by Delle Donne? Is it mere coincidence? Can the Sun take a 2-1 lead with Game #4 coming at home for them?

All these questions and more will be answered on Sunday, but we’re still here to see Natisha Hiedeman. The former Marquette star logged just one assist in Connecticut’s 99-87 win in Game #2. I don’t know if head coach Curt Miller really wanted to lay off of his bench after saying he wanted them more involved following Game #1’s loss, but that’s how it went in #2. Bria Holmes racked up bunches of minutes off the bench for the Sun, but no other sub played more than seven minutes. If the Mystics are shorthanded — Ariel Atkins is questionable with back issues as well for Washington — then Connecticut might benefit from playing a faster style and making use of fresh legs to wear out the opposition.

2019 WNBA Finals

Game #3

#1 Washington Mystics vs #2 Connecticut Sun

Date: Sunday, October 6, 2019
Time: 2:30pm Central
Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
Television: ABC
Streaming: WatchESPN.com