2022 WNBA Eastern Conference preview

The WNBA is just around the corner with the regular season set to kick off on Friday. A lot has happened since the Chicago Sky were crowned WNBA champions in October with big-name players switching addresses, coaching changes and rebuilding teams being overhauled.

From the Sky looking to repeat, the Connecticut Sun looking to capitalize on their potential to Elena Delle Donne returning for the Washington Mystics, here is a preview of the Eastern Conference.

Connecticut Sun 2021 record: 26-6 (regular season champion)

The Sun were the best team in the regular season with a 26-6 record in 2021 but a lack of offence in the playoffs was their downfall as the Sky eliminated them in the semifinals in four games.

Connecticut is led by reigning MVP Jonquel Jones, who had a career season in 2021 averaging 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists. A key ingredient for the Sun this season is a healthy Alyssa Thomas, who missed the first 30 games of the season last year recovering from Achilles surgery.

The team also returns key players in Brionna Jones (2021 WNBA Most Improved Player Award winner), DeWanna Bonner, Jasmine Thomas and Natisha Hiedeman.

Looking to address their offence, the Sun signed point guard Courtney Williams in free agency. The 27-year-old previously spent three seasons in Connecticut (2016-19) before being dealt to the Atlanta Dream in February 2020. Williams had two strong seasons in Atlanta and was a WNBA All-Star in 2021 with a career season averaging 16.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Chicago Sky 2021 record: 16-16 (WNBA champions)

A .500 team in the regular season, the Sky put it all together in the playoffs and won the franchise’s first-ever WNBA title.

Kahleah Copper had a monster 2021 season,