Sun-Mercury Preview

Kelsey Bone will face her former team for the first time just days after she was traded when the Phoenix Mercury plays host to the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.

Phoenix (6-9) acquired the WNBA All-Star on Saturday. In exchange, Connecticut (3-12) received rookie Courtney Williams, the rights to 2016 second-round pick Jillian Alleyne and San Antonio's 2017 second-round draft pick that was acquired by Phoenix earlier this season.

Bone, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward/center, averaged 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds for Connecticut last season. She garnered her first All-Star selection and was named the WNBA's Most Improved Player. She joins a front line that already includes Brittney Griner, Candice Dupree and Penny Taylor.

"In-season trades rarely net you an All-Star like Kelsey Bone," Mercury general manager Jim Pitman said. "Even though she is in just her fourth year, Kelsey is an established talent in our league and we think this deal makes us a better team today and in the future.

"She competes, she rebounds, has great size, and plays with great strength and toughness on both ends of the floor. We are excited about her potential here in Phoenix."

The Mercury will try to achieve its first three-game winning streak after winning its last two games to improve to fourth in the Western Conference. The Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 91-79 on Friday and upset the New York Liberty, the top team in the Eastern Conference, 104-97 in overtime on Sunday.

Dupree had 26 points and eight rebounds against New York. Diana Taurasi, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, had 24 points. Bone scored six points in eight minutes off the bench in her Phoenix debut.

Connecticut has lost two in a row and five of its last six. The Sun, who are in the midst of a four-game trip, are coming off an 80-73 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Chiney Ogwumike had 16 points and eight rebounds, Jasmine Thomas scored 14 points, and Alyssa Thomas had 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.