A smooth cruise turned into a sweat at the end. The Liberty were up by as many as 28 points in the fourth quarter in Saturday’s matchup vs. the Sparks, but they gradually let go of the rope and almost lost the game outright. Fortunately for them, they woke up just in time and escaped with an 85-81 win.
It wasn’t pretty, but for a team fighting to climb the standings, you take what you can get.
The opponent today is counting down its final days. The Connecticut Sun are coming off a 104-69 loss to Atlanta,
they’re near the bottom of the standings and the franchise is focused on their next steps in their new home in Houston. Expect an emotional night.
Game Info & Broadcast Details
- Matchup: New York Liberty (21-14) vs. Connecticut Sun (8-24)
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Tip-off Time: 1 PM ET/12 PM CT
- Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT)
- TV Channel: FOX 5
- Livestream: Liberty Live, WNBA League Pass
Liberty vs. Sun Injury Report: Who’s Out?
Liberty Injury Status:
- Out – Leonie Fiebich (left foot soreness)
- Out – Satou Sabally (concussion protocol)
- Questionable – Sabrina Ionescu (left foot)
Connecticut Sun Injury Status:
- Questionable – Aaliyah Edwards (left ankle)
- Questionable – Brittney Griner (left knee)
Head-to-Head & The End of an Era
New York won the first meeting 106-75 on Opening Night and the second game 89-80 on June 8.
This is the last meeting between these teams this season and the last time the Liberty will play in Uncasville. The Connecticut Sun franchise was sold and approved for relocation to Houston starting in the 2027 WNBA season. Following the 2026 season, the Sun franchise will relocate to Texas and revive the Houston Comets.
The afternoon carries extra weight for Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, two legends whose impact on Connecticut basketball is foundational:
- Breanna Stewart won four consecutive NCAA national championships at the University of Connecticut (2013–2016).
- Jonquel Jones spent six seasons as the anchor of the Sun franchise, winning the 2021 WNBA MVP in Uncasville.
The duo has had many a great moment in this state and as the WNBA says goodbye to the state of Connecticut, though the contributions made by Jones and Stewart will never be forgotten.
The Liberty have been outstanding on the glass as of late. On the season, they are second in the WNBA in rebound rate and being able to control the boards will help them control the pace and flow of the game. Against a Sun team that has BG and Edwards at less than full strength, the Liberty should look to establish themselves on the inside early.
Connecticut will have to figure out how to get the most out of Saniya Rivers. Rivers’ three point shooting has fallen off a cliff in her second year and is at just 16.7 percent from deep this year. She’s been taking more shots at the rim this year, but the path to the basket is a lot more daunting if teams don’t respect you from the perimeter.
Player to Watch: Leïla Lacan
The Sun have a bright future, and Lacan will be a big part of it. The young guard has been a breath of fresh air in the WNBA and she’s given the Liberty her fair share of trouble so far in her career. Lacan is one of the better young guards in the world and someone fans in the USA will continue to get familiar with throughout her career. With the Sun looking to overhaul the organization in 2027, they can feel safe knowing that Lacan is someone they can count on as part of their future.
Can Pauline Astier continue to step up?
With Sabrina Ionescu questionable due to foot soreness, Pauline Astier figures to take on more responsibilities. Similar to Lacan, Astier is a candidate for the French National Team for the FIBA Women’s World Cup. France figures to be the biggest threat to the USA’s basketball supremacy and players like Dominique Malonga, Lacan, Astier, etc. figure to be key parts of that mission. So for now, we wait.
In the meantime, Astier’s driving ability has been a boon for the Liberty. Pauline’s ability to consistently get to and finish at the rim has helped the Liberty maintain its spacing and really find its rhythm on offense. New York is third in the WNBA in offensive rating since the All-Star break, and they’ve got their principles and identity on offense down pat. They look to get to the rim consistently and make defenses pay for lapses in coverage. They still have work to do on defense, but for now, the offense is firing on all cylinders and incredibly hard to slow down.
From the Vault:
The Sun and Liberty have played so many great games over the years. Here’s the best one:
More reading: CT Insider, Hartford Courant, Swish Appeal, Breakaway, SB Nation, Women’s Basketball Roundup, The Local W, New York Daily News, No Cap Space, New York Post, Newsday, The Athletic, NY Liberty Fan TV, Fansided, The Stomp, Just Women’s Sports, Winsidr, Her Hoop Stats, Yahoo Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports, and The IX Basketball
