Sacramento, CA (AHN) - The Connecticut Sun have to like their position entering the WNBA All-Star break.

Lindsay Whalen had 22 points and eight assists to help the Sun earn an 82-78 overtime victory over the Sacramento Monarchs on Thursday night. The victory was Connecticut's third straight on a four-game Western road swing.

Despite a 1-8 start, Connecticut would make the playoffs if the season ended today.

Whalen's lay-up with 2.8 seconds left in regulation forced the overtime.

Nykesha Sales scored 23 points for Connecticut (9-11), which was playing without Asjha Jones, who had a family emergency. Jones, who averages 15.9 points and 6.6 rebounds a game, may also miss Sunday's All-Star Game in Washington.

"Considering we played back-to-back, ... and considering we were without Asjha, and considering the hole we dug ourselves in the first half [down 11], it was a great win," Sun coach Mike Thibault told AP, referring to Wednesday night's win at Seattle.

Nicole Powell and Adrian Williams each had 15 points for the Monarchs (12-8), who led 66-63 with 1:13 left in regulation.

"Everybody had to pick up the slack," said Whalen about Jones' absence.