By DJ Harding
The Connecticut Sun suited up for game number two of the 2025 season at Mohegan Sun Arena. Connecticut started the season at home with a 90-85 loss to the Washington Mystics. The Las Vegas Aces would continue their east coast road trip to start the season after opening the season with a 92-78 loss to the reigning champion New York Liberty.
The Sun fell to the Aces 87-62 leaving them 0-2 while the Aces improved to 1-1 gaining their first win of the season.
Going into the night attempting to bounce back from the season opening loss Coach Rachid Meziane spoke to the media pregame about what the team needs to do saying they need to play “more consistent on defense and smarter on offense.”
Coach Meziane also said “we have to play together.” which for this new look Sun team needs to be a point of emphasis.
The Connecticut Sun would have to stay together after the first quarter after going down 11-2 out the gate finding themselves in an 11 point hole when the first quarter concluded.
Jackie Young and A’Ja Wilson lead the way for Vegas scoring 18 of the teams first 24 points. Young after having 11 in the first, ended with 16 points. Wilson had seven points and four rebounds in the opening quarter finishing with a double-double scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, Wilson’s 22 also led all scorers.
For the Sun Tina Charles had six points which led the Sun. Charles was one of two players to end in double figures scoring 20 points in the loss.
Photo By Tammy McManaway
In the first quarter Connetciut would see two of their three drafted rookies see their first Regular Season WNBA action with Rayah Marshall and Saniya Rivers. Aneesah Morrow still hasn’t played due to injury but Rivers returns after dealing with the passing of her mother during training camp. Marshall logged a DNP after playing in both preseason games.
Rivers would get her first WNBA points in the first quarter with two free throws while Marshall logged her first two rebounds and first assist.
Rivers in her WNBA debut had 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Rivers postgame spoke to the media about dealing with the passing of her mother saying “Losing my mom has been the toughest thing I’ve ever had to face.” Rivers later added “I’m playing for her now.”
Rivers also spoke to how helpful the Connecticut Sun players and staff have been telling the media “they’ve done so much for me on and off the court.” Rivers also mentioned that her mom got a chance to meet the team and staff before she passed and then told the media “she was able to rest because I’m in good hands and even though it’s hard, I know I’m in good hands and I’m grateful.”
Marshall finished with six rebounds and one assists during 10 minutes of player in her WNBA Debut
The Sun saw the deficit of 11 go from bad to worse as they went into halftime down 52-29. Jewell Loyd scored 14 points in the second quarter helping the Aces gain that 23 point lead. Loyd played to her nickname of the Gold Mamba given to her by the late great Kobe Bryant.
Loyd scored 20 points in the win adding five rebounds to go along with the 20 point performance.
The Sun only had one scorer in double figures with Tina Charles scoring 12 while no other player had over four points. Marina Mabrey was one of the players with four points by the end of the night ending with seven points.
Mabrey has struggled so far this season with very rough shooting and not a lot of points scored. Coach Meziane during media day spoke to me and mentioned Mabrey as a key player for this season and doubled down on that statement pregame saying “we need Marina.”
Photo By Tammy McManaway
Las Veags came out the half and once again saw their lead grow from 23 at halftime to 32 by the end of the third quarter. Vegas capped off their 26 points in the quarter with a buzzer beater from Kiersten Bell from three point land.
The Las Vegas Aces would go on to win 87-62 with A’jA Wilson, Jewell Loyd, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray combining for 80% of the Aces 87 points. Gray ended with 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Coach Meziane postgame opened with a statement to the media during his postgame media availability.
After the opening statement Coach Meziane later spoke about the Aces team and said “Las Vegas is a good team, so it’s nothing crazy to lose to them.”
Coach then made a remark about what this Connecticut Sun team needs to do saying “We need to find our identity and chemistry.”
Connecticut will get a few off days before getting the chance to get in the win column with their first road game against the Minnesota Lynx.
Will Connecticut find their identity and chemistry before they play the Lynx? We will find out when they suit up on Friday May 23rd with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.