Pregame Report: Connecticut Sun vs. Washington Mystics

The Connecticut Sun return to action Tuesday night looking to even the season series against the Washington Mystics when the teams meet at CareFirst Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Connecticut enters the matchup at 7-20, while Washington is 14-12.

Tuesday’s game is the third meeting between the teams this season. Washington opened the series with an 88-81 victory on June 17 before Connecticut answered with a 68-57 win on June 26. In the most recent meeting, Leila Lacan and Olivia Nelson-Ododa each scored 12 points to lead the Sun, while Kennedy Burke added 11 points off the bench. Connecticut held the Mystics to a season-low 57 points.

The Sun are looking to rebound after falling 123-88 to the Indiana Fever in their last outing. Diamond Miller led Connecticut with 15 points, knocking down four three-pointers, while Saniya Rivers added 13 points and six assists off the bench. Olivia Nelson-Ododa finished with 11 points, and Aneesah Morrow, Leila Lacan and Raegan Beers each scored 10. Despite forcing 15 Indiana turnovers, Connecticut surrendered 123 points, including 70 in the first half.

Washington enters the game with momentum after edging the Las Vegas Aces 100-99 before the All-Star break. Shakira Austin led the Mystics with 25 points and six rebounds, Sonia Citron added 20 points and a career-high tying eight assists, while Kiki Iriafen recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie Lauren Betts also contributed 13 points off the bench.

One of the key matchups will come in the paint. Washington leads the WNBA in rebounding at 37.2 rebounds per game and has outrebounded its opponents in 23 games this season. Austin ranks third in the league with 9.5 rebounds per game, while Iriafen is seventh at 9.2 rebounds.

Connecticut will counter with rookie Aneesah Morrow, who is averaging 10.5 points and 9.3 rebounds while recording nine double-doubles this season. Olivia Nelson-Ododa has also provided steady production, averaging 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists over her last five games. Leila Lacan continues to pace the Sun backcourt with 12.8 points and 4.4 assists per contest while ranking third in the WNBA with 2.1 steals per game.

Washington’s offense is led by Sonia Citron, who averages a team-high 17.2 points and 3.7 assists per game. Austin is averaging 15.0 points and 9.5 rebounds, while Iriafen contributes 14.8 points and 9.2 rebounds. Michaela Onyenwere adds 10.1 points per game and is shooting 43.2 percent from three-point range, the seventh-best mark among qualified WNBA players.

There are several familiar faces in Tuesday’s matchup. Aaliyah Edwards spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with Washington before being traded to Connecticut. Kennedy Burke also played for the Mystics in 2022. On the Washington side, Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalić and Michaela Onyenwere all have UCLA ties with Connecticut’s Charlisse Leger-Walker, Gianna Kneepkens and Burke.

Connecticut’s injury report lists Aaliyah Edwards (right knee) and Saniya Rivers (left ankle) as probable, while Brittney Griner has been ruled out with a left knee injury.