The Connecticut Sun gave their fans one final victory before the franchise leaves the state it has called home for 24 seasons.
On Thursday night, the Sun defeated the Toronto Tempo 95–81 in their final game at Mohegan Sun Arena. But as the closing seconds ticked away, the result became secondary to the scene unfolding in the stands. Fans rose to their feet, applauding the players and saying goodbye to a team that had been part of Connecticut basketball since 2003.
Connecticut Sun Say Emotional Goodbye To Mohegan Sun Arena With Final Victory Before Move To Houston pic.twitter.com/xFBnOzWKju
— OpenCourt-Basketball (@OpenCourtFB) September 25, 2026
The sold-out crowd of 8,911 had come to witness the end of an era. Throughout the evening, the organization recognized longtime supporters, former players and the people who helped establish the Sun. Near the end of the game, fans thanked individual players as they left the floor, while the arena invited spectators to illuminate the building with their phone lights one last time.
Connecticut made sure the farewell included a win. After holding a narrow 38-36 halftime lead, the Sun took control in the third quarter and pulled away from Toronto. Ashlon Jackson led Connecticut with 18 points, Raegan Beers added 17 and Aaliyah Edwards finished with 16. The victory ended a six-game losing streak and gave the Sun an 11–33 record in their final season.
When the final buzzer sounded, the five Connecticut players on the floor embraced as their teammates joined them. Team president Jennifer Rizzotti then addressed the crowd, thanking the fans who had supported the franchise through championship pursuits, rebuilding seasons and everything in between.
“You guys have been our family for 24 years,” Rizzotti said. “I know how hard it is. You have proved that Connecticut deserves a WNBA team.”
If you’ve got 5 minutes, listen to Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti address everyone in attendance after the game
Sun players will also return to the court after media and sign autographs for fans pic.twitter.com/sItwtZm2vn
— christan (no i), ß (@ChristanWNBA) September 25, 2026
The Sun’s history in Connecticut began with a relocation of its own. The franchise originally entered the WNBA as the Orlando Miracle in 1999 before moving to Uncasville following the 2002 season. Purchased by the Mohegan Tribe, the newly named Connecticut Sun became the league’s first franchise owned by a Native American tribe and its first team without a direct NBA ownership affiliation.
Connecticut quickly established itself as a contender. With Mike Thibault as its first head coach, the Sun reached consecutive WNBA Finals in 2004 and 2005. Players including Nykesha Sales, Lindsay Whalen and Taj McWilliams-Franklin helped build a team that made postseason basketball a regular occurrence at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Later generations carried that tradition forward. Under head coach Curt Miller, Connecticut returned to the WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022, with players such as Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner helping establish another period of sustained success.
The Sun never captured a WNBA championship, but they reached the Finals four times and became one of the league’s enduring franchises. They also developed a distinctive identity in a state where women’s basketball already held an important place, particularly through the University of Connecticut’s celebrated college program.
That connection between the professional team and its community was visible throughout Thursday’s farewell. Former players returned, longtime season-ticket holders were recognized, and generations of fans gathered to watch the Sun play one final game in Uncasville.
The franchise’s departure follows the sale of the team by the Mohegan Tribe to Tilman Fertitta, owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets. The WNBA and NBA boards of governors unanimously approved the sale and relocation on May 13, 2026. The deal was reportedly valued at $300 million.
Beginning with the 2027 WNBA season, the franchise will play in Houston under the Houston Comets name, reviving one of the most recognizable identities in women’s basketball. The original Comets won the WNBA’s first four championships from 1997 through 2000 before ceasing operations after the 2008 season. The returning Comets will carry forward the Connecticut franchise’s operations rather than enter the league as an expansion team.
For Houston, the move restores a WNBA presence after nearly two decades. For Connecticut, it means losing a team that spent more than two decades representing the state on the professional stage.
The Sun’s name, home arena and Connecticut chapter are coming to an end, even as the franchise continues elsewhere. Team president Rizzotti and general manager Morgan Tuck are expected to move with the organization to Houston.
The final season was difficult on the court. Connecticut missed the playoffs and finished with just 11 wins, a long way from the teams that regularly competed for WNBA championships. Yet the standing ovation on Thursday was not a celebration of the season’s record. It was an acknowledgment of everything the Sun had represented since arriving in Connecticut.
