The Connecticut Sun have desperately needed some positive vibes of late.

It’s been a miserable July for the Sun. They gone o-fer this month during their six-game losing streak, a jarring turn for the worse as they had won seven in a row before skidding off a cliff.

Connecticut got good news Tuesday as guard Alex Bentley and center Kelsey Bone were chosen by WNBA head coaches as reserves for this weekend’s All-Star Game at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Sun could keep those good feelings going if they can win at the league-leading Minnesota Lynx today in their final game before the All-Star break. The game is at the Target Center (1 p.m.)

“It’s another great opportunity for us against one of the best teams in the league,” Connecticut coach Anne Donovan said. “The fact that we’ve been so close in so many of these games, it would be great to close out the first half of the season with a win in Minnesota.”

Things were going so well for the Sun just 22 days ago. They were off to their best start since the 2008 season and in first place in the Eastern Conference. It was a pleasant change for a franchise that finished last in the East the previous two years.

Past performance isn’t always an accurate indicator of current events, yet it’s worth noting that Connecticut’s wild highs and lows mirror last season’s. It won six straight games in June a year ago and were 8-6 late in that month.

The Sun then plunged headfirst into the abyss and finished 13-21.

Connecticut’s current losing streak began on the final day of June at home to the Indiana Fever (92-84). Opposing teams have padded their offensive numbers as they’ve shot a combined 48.8 percent at the Sun's expense.

"We’re in every game with one exception (a 96-76 loss at the Chicago Sky),” Donovan said. “We just have to survive this bad spell and concentrate more on the little things that can make the difference in all these close games.”

Bentley and Bone have given Connecticut hope amidst its rebuilding phase. Both were selected to the 2013 WNBA All-Rookie team and were acquired via separate trades last season.

Bentley has averaged a team-high 17.1 points and a league-leading 37 steals.

“I am really honored to be a part of the All-Star game,” Bentley said. “I would not be here without the help of my teammates and I also have to thank coach Donovan, who has put me in a great situation where I had more opportunity to succeed. It’s going to be great to play on my home court.”

Bone has averaged 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds.

“As a little girl, it’s something that you always dream about,” Bone said. “It’s a testament to my teammates, and I am excited to be able to represent the Sun at home for this All-Star game.”

Donovan said, “I think it’s great that both of them have stepped up this season. Both came back understanding we needed more. And with all the injuries we’ve had, they’ve both taken it on themselves to do more and it’s nice to see them rewarded for that.”

• Fans are invited to attend Friday's All-Star practices from 3-5 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena. Admission is free. The East is scheduled to practice from 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m., while the West will practice from 4:15 p.m.-5 p.m. The All-Star Game is Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

n.griffen@theday.com

Twitter: @MetalNED