Both teams enter the matchup with 0-1 records after tough season openers
Category: Sports
The Connecticut Sun will host the Seattle Storm on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena, both teams looking for their first win of the season after disappointing openers. Connecticut enters the game with a 0-1 record following a 106-75 loss to the New York Liberty on May 8, 2026, where they struggled defensively and fell behind early.
In their opener, the Sun were outscored significantly in transition, allowing New York to dominate fast-break opportunities 19-1. Sun forward Diamond Miller expressed her disappointment with the team's performance, emphasizing the need for improvement. "We are a young team, but nobody cares. It sucks to say that, but nobody cares," Miller said, underscoring the urgency for the Sun to establish their competitiveness early in the season.
On the other side, the Seattle Storm also come into this matchup with a 0-1 record after suffering a defeat against the Golden State Valkyries on the same night. In that game, Storm center Dominique Malonga led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds, supported by Zia Cooke, who added 15 points off the bench. The Storm will be looking to bounce back and avoid starting the season with two consecutive losses.
Both teams are dealing with injuries that could impact their performance. The Storm have four players listed on their injury report. Forward Katie Lou Samuelson is ruled out as she continues to recover from a torn right ACL, with no timetable for her return. Ezi Magbegor is also out due to a right foot injury, expected to sideline her for at least six weeks. Taina Mair is out due to a coach's decision, and Awa Fam is unavailable due to overseas commitments.
Meanwhile, the Sun have their own challenges with injuries. Aaliyah Edwards is ruled out with a left thigh injury, missing her second consecutive game. Shey Peddy is also out with a left lower leg injury, and both Leila Lacan and Nell Angloma are unavailable due to overseas obligations. The absence of these key players puts additional pressure on the remaining roster to perform.
As both teams prepare for this matchup, the stakes are high. Connecticut's head coach Rachid Meziane has emphasized the need for his players to improve their defensive performance and make smarter decisions on offense. "Our defensive transition coverage was terrible, probably because we lost too many balls and took too many bad shots," he said, highlighting the need for a more aggressive approach against the Storm.
The Sun's home opener holds special significance as it marks their last season at Mohegan Sun Arena before relocating to Houston in 2027. The Mohegan Tribe agreed to sell the Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, creating a sense of urgency for the team to provide their fans with memorable moments during their final season in Uncasville. "We want to give our best to our fans, give the best memories to our fans," Meziane said, acknowledging the team's commitment to honoring their fanbase.
The matchup against the Storm is seen as a potential turning point for the Sun. Both teams are relatively young, with Seattle featuring several players with less than two seasons of WNBA experience, including rookie first-round pick Flau’jae Johnson. This presents an opportunity for the Sun to assert themselves against a similarly inexperienced squad.
Key players to watch for the Sun include Tina Charles, who averaged 16.3 points per game last season, and Aneesah Morrow, who will look to build on her performance from the previous game. Morrow scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in the loss to New York, showing flashes of her potential. Brittney Griner, another notable player, averaged 9.8 points and 1.2 blocks per game last season, bringing experience and leadership to the court.
For the Storm, Malonga's performance will be key as she looks to replicate her scoring from the previous game. Natisha Hiedeman, who averaged 9.1 points last season, also poses a threat from beyond the arc. The Storm's ability to capitalize on offensive rebounds and create second-chance opportunities will be important against the Sun's defense.
The game is set to tip off at 1:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston and CW Seattle, allowing fans to catch the action live. For those looking to attend, tickets are available through platforms like StubHub, Ticketmaster, and Vivid Seats.
As the Sun and Storm face off, both teams will be eager to secure their first victory of the season and set a positive tone for the games ahead. This matchup serves as a chance for redemption following tough losses and as a moment to honor the Sun's legacy in Connecticut as they prepare for their transition to a new city.
With both teams eager to turn their fortunes around, fans can expect a competitive matchup filled with intensity and determination. The outcome could prove to be a defining moment for either team as they seek to establish themselves early in the season.
The anticipation builds as the clock ticks down to tip-off. Will the Connecticut Sun find their rhythm at home, or will the Seattle Storm bounce back from their own struggles? The answers will come soon enough as the teams take the court on this important day for both franchises.