By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

For the second time this season, Jonquel Jones has been named the WNBA’s Kia Eastern Conference Player of Month.

Jones received the award for her performances over the month of August as she continues to build her case for the 2021 league MVP award.

The Connecticut Sun All-Star forward averaged 18.7 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field to lead the Sun to a perfect 7-0 record in August.

In addition to her second Player of the Month award of the season, it also marked the third of Jones’ career. She is one of just five players this season to win the award twice along with Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), Tina Charles (Washington Mystics), A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) and Sylvia Fowles (Minnesota Lynx).

The awards came frequently for the league leading 21-6 over the past week. The Sun are also a league best 13-1 at home in the Mohegan Sun Arena.

During this stretch, Brionna Jones won Player of the Week and head coach Curt Miller claimed the Coach of the Month honour for August.

Jones recently tied a career high with 31 points as Connecticut beat the Washington Mystics 85-75 for their ninth straight victory. It’s the longest winning streak in franchise history since a 12-game run in 2006.

Jones, who set a career-high for points in a half with 21, also grabbed 13 rebounds to extend her league lead for double-doubles.

Through 22 games this summer, Jones leads the WNBA with 14 double doubles. She currently ranks third in the league in scoring at 20.3 points per game and leads the league on the board at 11 rebounds per game while shooting 53 percent from the field.

The Sun will look to extend their win streak to 10 when they travel to face the Dallas Wings at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. The game will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime at 8pm.