By Laura Soukkavong –
The Connecticut Sun showed flashes of energy and potential in their season opener against the New York Liberty, especially from their younger core, but the defending champions controlled the pace from the opening quarter and exposed several areas Connecticut will need to improve moving forward.
What the Sun did right:
Connecticut continued to compete despite falling behind early and showed resilience throughout the second half. The Sun’s rookie class made an immediate impact, with every rookie scoring in their first regular season WNBA appearance — an encouraging sign for the organization’s future. The team also found better offensive rhythm in the third quarter, cutting into the deficit behind defensive pressure, transition opportunities, and aggressive play from Diamond Miller and Aneesah Morrow. The Sun also showed effort attacking the paint late in the game and continued generating offense despite New York’s physical defense.
What needs work:
The biggest issue was the opening quarter. Connecticut allowed 36 first-quarter points and spent the rest of the night trying to recover. Defensive rotations, transition defense, and perimeter coverage all struggled against New York’s ball movement and outside shooting. The Liberty shot 52.2% from the field and consistently generated second-chance opportunities. Connecticut also needs to limit turnovers and improve rebounding positioning against elite frontcourts. Offensively, the Sun showed stretches of rhythm but lacked consistency for four quarters and struggled to match New York’s pace and execution.
Top three Sun players and their impact:
- Diamond Miller
Miller was the clear spark for Connecticut, finishing with a career-high 16 points while adding three rebounds and two steals. She brought energy on both ends of the floor, pushed the tempo offensively, and helped fuel the Sun’s best stretch in the third quarter. Her aggressive attacking style and defensive effort stood out throughout the game. - Aneesah Morrow
Morrow finished with 15 points and showed toughness offensively despite foul trouble. She helped create momentum during Connecticut’s third-quarter push and was aggressive attacking inside while also stretching the floor with perimeter shooting. Her physicality and rebounding presence continue to be important for the Sun’s frontcourt. - Brittney Griner
Griner added 13 points and provided veteran stability early when Connecticut struggled offensively. She remained active around the basket, gave the Sun a reliable interior scoring option, and helped settle the offense during difficult stretches. Her experience and size remain critical for Connecticut as the team develops chemistry around its younger players.