Rookie Leila Lacan Sparks Connecticut Sun's Surprise Victory Over New York Liberty

On July 28th, 2025, the Connecticut Sun, a team with the worst record in the WNBA, pulled off a stunning 78-62 victory over the defending champions, the New York Liberty. The game was played at the Mohegan Sun Arena, and the win marked the Sun's first home triumph over the Liberty since 2022.

The turning point of the game came just before halftime when veteran Tina Charles sank a buzzer-beating jump shot to give the Sun a seven-point lead. This moment seemed to fuel the team for the rest of the game, as they never allowed the Liberty to cut the deficit below seven points in the fourth quarter.

Rookie guard Leila Lacan was a key contributor for the Sun, scoring 16 points off the bench and sparking the team's comeback in the second quarter. Charles led the Sun with 15 points, three steals, and five rebounds, while Marina Mabrey added 18 points and a season-high eight assists.

The Sun's defensive effort was also crucial, as they held the Liberty, the defending champions, to just 62 points, the first time this season that New York has been held below 70 points. The win was redemption for the Sun, who had suffered the second-biggest loss in WNBA history to the Liberty earlier in the season.

The victory was a much-needed boost for the struggling Sun, who were in the midst of the worst start in franchise history. The team's resilience and teamwork were on full display as they overcame their early offensive struggles to secure the impressive win over the Liberty.