The Connecticut Sun and its fans lit up Mohegan Sun Arena one last time on Thursday night.
A packed house was on hand to see the Sun for the final time after 24 years in Connecticut as the team prepares to move to Houston for the 2027 season and beyond.
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The Sun gave their home fans one last victory, topping the Toronto Tempo, 95-81, in front of a sold-out crowd.
After the final buzzer sounded, the seats at Mohegan Sun Arena were still full. Team president Jennifer Rizzotti let everyone in attendance know that the team would be signing autographs for whoever wanted to stay. Tables were set up across the court as fans poured down the aisles hoping to see their favorite players in person once more.
Aaliyah Edwards hugs Leila Lacan after the Sun’s final game in Connecticut, a 95-81 win over the Toronto Tempo, on September 24, 2026 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.Katie Morrison-O’Day
It was an emotional night filled with goodbyes, not just to the team, but to the community of fans that has been so passionate and loyal for the last 23 seasons.
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Ariana Wilkinson is one of those fans for whom the Sun is more than just a basketball team. Wilkinson, wearing a Sun jersey she crocheted herself, was surrounded by people she had met through the fanbase.
“I’ve been coming to games for two seasons now,” Wilkinson said. “It’s meant so much. Everyone here has become family, and it’s just been a great experience to get to know people and connect with everyone. It’s just a family here.”
Wilkinson shared an emotional moment with Sun guard Saniya Rivers, one of the most involved players when it comes to connecting with fans. Rivers was wearing her own personalized jersey, also crocheted by Wilkinson.
Sun guard Saniya Rivers hugs fan Ariana Wilkinson before the Connecticut Sun’s final game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on September 24, 2026.Katie Morrison-O’Day
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Rivers also made a big impact on Elsie Moreau, a youth basketball player who has been coming to games for the past couple of seasons.
“The players are the reason I keep going. I play basketball for them, basically,” Moreau said. She talked about the relationships she’s developed with players like Rivers and Edwards throughout the last couple of years.
The many Sun season-ticket holders in the crowd were recognized before the game with a show of thanks. Some, including Lois, who was in the crowd celebrating her 98th birthday on Thursday night, have owned season tickets since the Sun came to Connecticut from Orlando in 2003.
Debbie Elias has been attending Sun games for the past nine years. She made her way through the concourse before the game, hugging arena employees, some whose first names she was learning for the first time. She said she’s gotten to know a number of people around Mohegan, including in-arena host Game Day Connor and mascot Blaze.
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“[My husband and I] are huge sports fans; we love coming to the games,” Elias said. “I’ve gotten to meet so many wonderful people. The fans are incredible, and I love coming and just seeing the women do well.”
A sold-out crowd cheers during Sun’s final game in Connecticut, a 95-81 win over the Toronto Tempo, on September 24, 2026 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.Katie Morrison-O’Day
Edwards, who starred for UConn and played the last two seasons for the Sun, has been an integral part of the team’s sunset season and couldn’t hide her emotions after the game.
“This fan base means so much to me,” Edwards said. “The support and the love have run deep since I was a freshman at UConn. It’s mad love. To the fans, we want to thank you guys, because of your energy and support, even going through such a tough season…ultimately we’re holding our heads up high because we’re part of this legacy. Everyone today and before today made history and poured into a franchise when no one else would.”
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The Sun welcomed back a couple of old friends on Thursday. Former Sun forward Aneesah Morrow, who was traded to the Tempo in July, was on the bench for Toronto (she’s out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury) and got a big hand from the crowd. Nykesha Sales, who played for the Sun from 2003-2007, was welcomed back and received a Sun Legends jacket before the game.
Former Sun player Nykesha Sales was honored with a Sun Legends jacket before the Connecticut Sun’s final game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on September 24, 2026.Katie Morrison-O’Day
“The history of this franchise is not only about one team, about one coach, about one season,” Sun head coach Rachid Meziane said. “[The players] know that they are part of something. I hope that people will never forget this franchise. And that’s a mindset for my players tonight. Never forget what they accomplished for this franchise. Never forget the name on the front of the jersey.”
Brittney Griner talks to the Sun after the team’s final game in Connecticut, a 95-81 win over the Toronto Tempo, on September 24, 2026 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.Katie Morrison-O’Day
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The Sun fanbase’s passion for WNBA basketball won’t be confined to Mohegan Sun Arena.
“It’s really emotional, but I’ve been saving up a lot of money for Houston, so this is definitely not my last game,” Moreau said.
Elias also mentioned planning a trip to Texas to see the new team. Wilkinson talked about getting a group together for a UConn women’s basketball game.
Even though the Sun has set for the final time in Connecticut, the light of the community built around the team refuses to dim.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
