The decisive moment
The Connecticut Sun grabbed the lead for good late in the third quarter, surging ahead with 1:14 remaining in the period and refusing to let go. From there, the Sun absorbed everything the Los Angeles Sparks threw at them down the stretch, escaping with an 84-81 victory in a game decided by a single possession.
By the numbers
- Final score: Connecticut 84, Los Angeles 81 (margin of 3)
- Aneesah Morrow (CON): 17 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists
- Rae Burrell (LA): 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
- Ariel Atkins (LA): 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
- Erica Wheeler (LA): 13 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists
Morrow's double-double on the glass was the difference, giving Connecticut the second-chance edge in a contest where every rebound mattered.
What it means
For Connecticut, the win is a gritty statement in the early stretch of the 2026 WNBA Regular Season, the kind of close result that separates contenders from also-rans. The Sun pulled it off shorthanded, navigating the absence of Brittney Griner, who exited with a right eye injury, along with Aaliyah Edwards out under concussion protocol.
Los Angeles will rue a narrow defeat despite balanced scoring from Burrell, Atkins and Wheeler. Playing without Brionna Jones and Dana Evans, the Sparks showed enough fight to make it a one-possession game but couldn't find the bucket they needed in the final minute.
What to watch next
The Sparks will look to convert their competitive showing into wins as they work toward full health on the roster. Connecticut, meanwhile, will aim to build on a hard-earned result and prove this close-game poise can become a habit.