By Tiffany Williams –
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Connecticut Sun return to Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday night looking to regroup on the court while celebrating one of the most accomplished players in franchise history.
The Sun, who enter the game with a 7-23 record, will host the Phoenix Mercury at 7:30 p.m. ET in a matchup that will also feature a special ceremony honoring former Connecticut star Alyssa Thomas as the newest member of the organization’s Sun Legends program.
Fans unable to attend the game in Uncasville will be able to watch the contest on ION.
Friday’s game will also serve as the team’s STEM Night in partnership with BuildSubmarines.com.
The event is designed to highlight the connection between sports and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while showcasing educational initiatives and career opportunities available throughout southeastern Connecticut.
Fans attending the game will receive a Connecticut Sun baseball hat while supplies last.
Connecticut enters the matchup hoping to rebound after an 83-63 road loss to the Dallas Wings on Aug. 2.
Diamond Miller paced the Sun with 22 points while adding four rebounds and two steals.
Kennedy Burke also reached double figures, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
Phoenix arrives after dropping a 96-82 decision to the Atlanta Dream on Aug. 5.
Kelsey Plum led the Mercury with 19 points and five rebounds.
Alyssa Thomas contributed 17 points and seven assists, while Kahleah Copper scored 14 points.
DeWanna Bonner recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The teams met earlier this season on July 19, when the Mercury earned a 72-63 victory over Connecticut.
Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Brittney Griner combined for 31 points in that contest for the Sun.
Griner scored 19 points while Nelson-Ododa added 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
For Phoenix, DeWanna Bonner led all scorers with 21 points and Kahleah Copper finished with 18.
While Friday’s game carries importance in the WNBA standings, much of the evening’s attention will focus on Alyssa Thomas and her lasting legacy with the Connecticut Sun.
Thomas will officially become a Connecticut Sun Legend during a pregame ceremony recognizing one of the most decorated careers in franchise history.
Known throughout her time in Connecticut as “The Engine,” Thomas leaves the organization as its all-time leader in games played with 319 appearances.
She also finished her Sun career ranked first in franchise history in points with 3,889, rebounds with 2,396, assists with 1,463 and steals with 494.
Thomas also ranks seventh in blocks with 104 and second in franchise history with 82 double-doubles.
She remains the only player in Connecticut Sun history to record a triple-double.
Thomas accomplished that feat 15 times during the regular season and playoffs combined, underscoring her reputation as one of the league’s most versatile players.
“I’m truly honored to be a Sun Legend,” said Thomas. “I’m forever thankful to be a part of the Sun’s franchise and family. I will forever remember all the memories we shared in Mohegan. This will always be home! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”
Thomas entered the WNBA as the fourth overall selection in the 2014 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty before being traded immediately to Connecticut.
She made an immediate impact during her rookie season, starting 28 games while averaging 10 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Her performance earned her selection to the 2014 WNBA All-Rookie Team.
By 2017, Thomas had emerged as one of the league’s top players, earning her first WNBA All-Star selection while helping lead Connecticut into the postseason.
Over the course of her career with the Sun, Thomas collected four Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week 10 times.
Her defensive play also earned league-wide recognition.
Thomas was selected to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team in 2020 and 2023 and received All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2024.
Her all-around game brought additional accolades.
Thomas earned All-WNBA First Team honors in 2023 and 2024 and was named to the All-WNBA Second Team in 2022.
She also captured the 2023 Peak Performer award in rebounds and was selected to five WNBA All-Star Games during her Connecticut career in 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Friday’s ceremony will add another chapter to that legacy.
Thomas’ No. 25 will join the numbers of fellow Connecticut Sun Legends Curt Miller, Jasmine Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Margo Dydek, Nykesha Sales, Katie Douglas, Lindsay Whalen and Asjha Jones in the rafters at Mohegan Sun Arena.
For the current Connecticut Sun roster, the night represents another opportunity to build momentum during a challenging season.
For the organization and its fans, however, it will also be an evening dedicated to celebrating a player whose impact on the franchise remains unmatched across nearly every major statistical category and whose legacy will now be permanently recognized inside the arena she called home.