Connecticut Sun Plays Final Game in State Before Relocating to Houston

The Connecticut Sun played their final game in the state on [Date of Game], concluding a 23-year tenure before the franchise relocates to Houston. The team secured a 95-81 victory over the Toronto Tempo in an emotional farewell at Mohegan Sun Arena, with players, fans, and broadcasters sharing tears and expressing gratitude.

NBC Sports Boston announcers bid an emotional goodbye as the game clock wound down. "It is officially sunset! 24 years we will never forget," Brendan Glasheen announced. "Thank you, Connecticut Sun!" Sideline reporter Terrika Foster-Brasby also took a moment to address viewers, saying, "I just wanted to make sure I had a moment to tell everyone we love them, we appreciate them. And just because we won't be here, doesn't mean you won't see us and that we actually won't be around, because we're still going to be able to provide that love for women's basketball across the state regardless."

Foster-Brasby became emotional during an on-court interview with Aaliyah Edwards, who scored 16 points in the win. "Girl it's just my heart," Edwards said. "My heart is beating fast. My heart is just so happy. I'm happy that we were able to get one final win for the fans, because they deserve it." Edwards, who was traded back to Connecticut in 2025 after playing for Washington, reflected on her time in the state. "Man, it's just been welcoming back with open arms. But I came back to my family, came back to my home state and since then it's just been love." She emphasized her desire for her legacy to be one of impact, stating, "Whether that be making a little girl happy, inspiring a little girl to want to play basketball one day or even just paving the way for those coming, the next generation. That's what I want my impact to be and that's what I feel we've done with this organization, the Connecticut Sun. We made some things out of nothing and we just kept excelling. And I'm so proud to be a part of this."

Edwards concluded her interview by taking the microphone and declaring to the camera, "Listen, this is the basketball capital of the world, baby! Don't ever forget!"

Fans flooded the court after the game to celebrate with the players, a gesture of appreciation for over two decades of support. The franchise, which was the first independently owned team in the WNBA, is making its third move. It relocated to Connecticut in 2003 from Orlando. During their time in Connecticut, the Sun reached the WNBA Finals four times, hosted four All-Star Games, and became the first team in the league to turn a profit.

The team was purchased for $10 million by the Mohegan Tribe and subsequently sold for $300 million to Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets. An earlier offer of $325 million from a group including Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, which would have moved the franchise to nearby Boston, was reportedly blocked by the WNBA. The league stated that "relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams."

This move marks the first WNBA franchise relocation since the San Antonio Stars moved to Las Vegas in 2017. Team president Jen Rizzotti acknowledged the emotional nature of the transition. "The silver lining of the chapter closing is it forces you to look at what this franchise has meant for over two decades and make sure the story is told and the legacy lasts forever," she told The Associated Press. Rizzotti will move to Houston with the team as president of basketball operations, and approximately 75-80% of the front office staff is also expected to make the move. The franchise will return to the city that once housed the Houston Comets, who won the league's first four WNBA titles. Rizzotti described the current period as "exciting to celebrate the past while also being emotional that it's ending."