By Tiffany Williams –
The Connecticut Sun returned from their first extended road trip of the 2026 season still searching for answers.
A promising one-point loss in Portland, a breakthrough victory in Seattle and three additional defeats painted a picture of a young team battling every night but struggling to put together complete performances. By the end of the trip, Connecticut had dropped four of five games and returned home with a 1-8 record, leaving the franchise with the worst mark in the WNBA through the season’s opening weeks.
The trip began with heartbreak on May 18 at Portland’s Moda Center. The Sun appeared poised to finally break into the win column after building multiple second-half leads against the Fire. Brittney Griner matched her season high with 16 points, while Aneesah Morrow recorded her fourth consecutive double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Aaliyah Edwards and Hailey Van Lith each added 12 points as Connecticut led by seven late in the third quarter and remained tied at 79-79 in the final minute.
But Portland answered in the closing seconds. Sug Sutton delivered the decisive basket and the Fire escaped with an 83-82 victory, sending Connecticut to 0-5 despite one of its strongest all-around performances of the season. The defeat was particularly painful considering the Sun bench outscored Portland’s reserves 39-26 and Connecticut controlled long stretches of the game before falling one point short.
Two nights later in Seattle, the Sun finally broke through.
Connecticut earned its first victory of the season with an 80-78 win over the Storm. Rookie Charlisse Leger-Walker delivered the best performance of her young professional career, scoring 16 points off the bench. Nell Angloma and Kennedy Burke each scored 15 points, while Aaliyah Edwards added 12.
The game featured multiple momentum swings before Burke provided the defining moment. With less than three seconds remaining, Leger-Walker found Burke, who converted a contested basket and completed the three-point play opportunity that ultimately secured the victory.
The win showcased what Connecticut hopes it can become moving forward. The Sun dominated the glass 38-26, controlled points in the paint by a 50-36 margin and received a franchise-record 62 points from the bench. After five consecutive losses to begin the season, Connecticut finally had a reason to celebrate.
The momentum did not last.
The teams met again two days later and Seattle controlled the rematch. Connecticut raced out to an early 8-0 lead, but the Storm steadily took command behind Zia Cooke and Flau’jae Johnson. Cooke scored 25 points while Johnson added 17 as Seattle pulled away for a 77-59 victory.
Diamond Miller led Connecticut with 13 points while Aaliyah Edwards contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. The Sun shot well enough early to stay competitive, but a difficult second quarter created a deficit they never recovered from. Seattle outscored Connecticut 18-7 in the period and maintained control throughout the second half.
The road trip then shifted to San Francisco, where the Golden State Valkyries handed Connecticut another difficult defeat.
The Valkyries used a dominant second quarter and an explosive second half to roll to a 97-70 victory at Chase Center. Aneesah Morrow posted another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds while Charlisse Leger-Walker scored nine points. Olivia Nelson-Ododa returned and provided a boost with season highs in points, assists and blocks.
Golden State’s balanced attack proved too much. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 15 points while multiple players contributed offensively as the home team steadily expanded its lead. Connecticut remained competitive on the boards but struggled to generate consistent offense, scoring just eight points in the second quarter and never threatening after halftime.
By the time the Sun arrived back in Portland for the final game of the trip, fatigue and frustration appeared to be setting in.
Yet Connecticut still found itself in position to win.
Aneesah Morrow continued her remarkable start to the season with another double-double, recording 13 points and 13 rebounds. Charlisse Leger-Walker added 11 points, while Hailey Van Lith and Saniya Rivers each scored seven.
The Sun erased a double-digit deficit, rallied to take a lead in the third quarter and entered the fourth period tied at 50-50. Van Lith’s scoring helped Connecticut move ahead 55-50 early in the final quarter.
But Portland responded once again.
Carla Leite scored 20 points and Bridget Carleton added 13 as the Fire closed the game on a decisive run. Teja Oblak and Frieda Buhner delivered key baskets down the stretch while Portland outscored Connecticut 21-11 in the fourth quarter to secure a 71-61 victory.
The loss dropped Connecticut to 1-8 overall and completed a road trip that reflected both the promise and challenges facing the rebuilding franchise.
While the record remains troubling, several young players continue to show growth. Aneesah Morrow has emerged as one of the league’s most productive rebounders, recording six double-doubles through nine games. Charlisse Leger-Walker has provided a consistent spark off the bench and delivered the team’s top scoring performance during its lone victory. Aaliyah Edwards continues to develop into a reliable frontcourt contributor, while Hailey Van Lith, Saniya Rivers and Olivia Nelson-Ododa have all shown flashes during the season’s opening month.
Still, the standings tell a difficult story. Connecticut opened the year with losses to New York, Seattle, Las Vegas and Las Vegas before the road trip. The Sun then went 1-4 during their five-game western swing, leaving them with just one victory through their first nine games.
Now the focus shifts home.
The Sun returns to Connecticut for a game at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford on May 30 to face the Los Angeles Sparks, hoping home court can provide the spark that has been missing for much of the season. After a road trip filled with close calls, encouraging individual performances and difficult defeats, the Sun will be looking for something that has been hard to find so far in 2026 — momentum.
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