Since her July 12th performance against the Storm (7-10 from the 3), Shekinna has gone 4-19 (21%) through 5 games. Her hot streak started when Tuck went out and ended when Tuck returned (Morgan appeared briefly (5 minutes) in Strick's 7-10 game.
Career through 2016 = 35.1%
Before Tuck injury = 33.3%
During Tuck's absence = 44.1%
Since Seattle game = 21.1%
So - is it just regression to the mean after an anomalous (and fortuitously timed) hot streak?
Is she feeling the pressure of possibly going back to the bench role? IIRC, Tuck was the Sun's leading scorer when she got hurt.
Something else??
Whatever the reason, and as good as the Sun are at the moment, they need a reliable 3 point bomber at the SF to be at their very best against the very best. That threat makes every other thing they do well work better. Whether that is Strick or Morgan, it changes the way defenses play - spreds the D out, fewer double/triple teams on JJ, more O boards, more room in the mid-range for Courtney, and more space inside for the Thomas' to slash. Fortunately they are still giving Strick tons of residual respect when she's roaming the arc. We still have 3 games against Phoenix, 1 against Washington and 1 against LA (and 6 others) that will have an enormous impact on the final standings. That's a long, difficult grind and the Sun will need all cylinders firing to make a deep run in the playoffs.
