Mohegan — It would be both rash and foolish to suggest that Saturday’s Connecticut Sun season-opener was a must-win as it was, after all, the first game of a 34-game regular season.

It kind of was, though, because Connecticut had some benefits it needed to use to its advantage.

The Sun had to protect home court in front of a good holiday vacation weekend crowd of 7,913 at Mohegan Sun Arena, which they did, winning 84-69.

“(You want to get) your fans excited for something to look forward to all season,” Connecticut’s Jasmine Thomas said. “It was a great turnout. They did a great job.”

Furthermore, Washington had just nine available players out of a possible 12 before the game. Elena Delle Donne, the 2015 WNBA MVP, didn't make the trip due to a knee injury.

Mystics sharpshooter Kristi Toliver was also injured in the first half and missed minutes. She came back later that half but was injured again late in the third quarter and didn't return.

“We equaled the best home record in the league last year (13-4),” Sun head coach Curt Miller said. “We know how important it is taking care of home court and winning your home games. Jasmine really expressed that and took the leadership role in expressing to the team how important home wins are. Every home win is magnified, no matter who’s playing and who’s not.

“It gives us some momentum. We know who we’re playing out of the gate. Indiana (Tuesday’s opponent) looks fantastic right now (and is) playing so hard and playing more confidently than ever. Then we go on a west coast trip and get L.A. and Las Vegas, two of the favorites (to win the WNBA title). (We) come back and get L.A., Atlanta and Washington. … Any win at this time of year is important.”

Alyssa Thomas, the rugged Escalade who drives the Sun, was terrific. She made 11 of 15 shots and finished with a game-high 23 points with eight rebounds and four assists.

Jonquel Jones had 10 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for Connecticut while Jasmine Thomas added 13 points and six assists.

Layshia Clarendon and Morgan Tuck and both scored eight off the bench for the Sun.

Emma Meesseman had 14 points and six rebounds for the Mystics and reserve Shatori Walker-Kimbrough had 11 points and eight rebounds. Toliver also scored 11.

“It’s hard, but everybody goes through it,” Washington head coach Mike Thilbault said about playing both shorthanded and through injuries. “Luckily for us, hopefully, it only lasts a short amount of time at the start of the year and that we get better as we go, but it’s ugly to watch.

“When Kristi got hurt, that was tough. I’m a little concerned about it. We’ll see when she gets home and sees the docs.”

The Sun turned a five-point deficit into a 44-41 halftime lead. They started to pull away with 4 minutes, 44 seconds left in the third quarter. It started when Courtney Williams turned an offensive rebound into a short jumper to give Connecticut a 56-47 lead.

Shekinna Stricklen followed with a 3-pointer and then two free throws.

Meesseman made a floater on the other end for Washington.

Williams' jumper, a Tuck layup and Jasmine Thomas' reverse layup off an offensive rebound pushed the Sun ahead, 67-49, with 1:17 left in the quarter.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Jasmine Thomas said about the win. “It had some moments where they got us in transition, they rammed it at us down the lane lines and put us on our heels a little bit. But we fought through it.”

n.griffen@theday.com