New York — The Connecticut Sun's WNBA All-Star Game contingent has grown larger.

The league announced Wednesday morning that Connecticut head coach Curt Miller and assistants Nicki Collen and Steve Smith will coach the Eastern Conference in place of New York Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer and his staff while Laimbeer tends to a family matter.

The game is Saturday at Seattle's KeyArena at 3:30 p.m. (Ch. 8).

“We’re excited as a staff, but we know our place,” Miller said. “This is Bill Laimbeer and his staff’s opportunity and we are just substitutes. We are very excited about being in first place as we head into the All-Star break and we look forward to coaching this great All-Star team… But we are just filling in and we are going to do the best job we can for Bill and that great staff in New York.”

Sun center Jonquel Jones and point guard Jasmine Thomas were both selected by fans, players and media to start for the East. Alyssa Thomas (power forward) was chosen by coaches to be one of the East's six reserves.

Connecticut has been one of the WNBA's pleasant surprises this season after going through four of the worst years in franchise history. It has dealt with several injuries and absences, played the most road games (13), and the fewest home games (eight).

The Sun started this year 0-4 and 1-5 before heating up in June. They are 12-9 and tied with the Washington Mystics for third place in the overall standings (the top eight teams qualify regardless of conference).

It was also announced that Rebekkah Brunson of the Minnesota Lynx and Sugar Rodgers of the New York Liberty have been named by WNBA President Lisa Borders to replace Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury and Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics, respectively. Griner (knee, ankle) and Delle Donne (ankle) both suffered injuries on July 14.

n.griffen@theday.com