Aaliyah Edwards #8 of the Connecticut Sun scores over Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty in the first quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty loses the ball as she is fouled by Diamond Miller #1 of the Connecticut Sun (back) in the first quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Pauline Astier #18 of the New York Liberty drives to the basket between Diamond Miller #1 of the Connecticut Sun and Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Pauline Astier #18 of the New York Liberty drives to the basket against Saniya Rivers #22 of the Connecticut Sun during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Satou Sabally #0 of the New York Liberty drives to the basket against Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty shoots over Kennedy Burke #25 of the Connecticut Sun during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Diamond Miller #1 of the Connecticut Sun, Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty and Raegan Beers #15 of the Connecticut Sun in action during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty dribbles the ball up court during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Han Xu #21 of the New York Liberty drives to the basket against Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Marine Johannes #23 of the New York Liberty makes a pass while defended by Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun runs into a pick set by Raquel Carrera #14 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Gianna Kneepkens #5 of the Connecticut Sun fast breaks pursued by Raquel Carrera #14 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Saniya Rivers #22 of the Connecticut Sun drives past Marine Fauthoux #4 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun drives to the basket against Han Xu #21 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Gianna Kneepkens #5 of the Connecticut Sun fast breaks during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Charlisse Leger-Walker #4 of the Connecticut Sun called for the offensive foul against Marine Fauthoux #4 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Saniya Rivers #22 of the Connecticut Sun in action during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Charlisse Leger-Walker #4 of the Connecticut Sun defended by Pauline Astier #18 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Aaliyah Edwards #8 of the Connecticut Sun and Nell Angloma #33 of the Connecticut Sun assist Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun after running into a pick set by Raquel Carrera #14 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Nell Angloma #33 of the Connecticut Sun drives to the basket against Betnijah Laney-Hamilton #44 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 8: Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty starts the fast break after a turnover by the Connecticut Sun in the second quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean D. Elliot/Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 8: Nell Angloma #33 of the Connecticut Sun puts up a shot against the New York Liberty in the second quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean D. Elliot/Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 8: Charlisse Leger-Walker #4 of the Connecticut Sun goes sprawling after contact with Rebekah Gardner #7 of the New York Liberty in the second quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean D. Elliot/Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 8: Saniya Rivers #22 of the Connecticut Sun drives to the basket between Raquel Carrera #14 and Marine Johannès #23 of the New York Liberty in the second quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean D. Elliot/Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 8: Aaliyah Edwards #8 of the Connecticut Sun battles Leonie Fiebich #13 of the New York Liberty in the paint in the first quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean D. Elliot/Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun runs into a pick set by Raquel Carrera #14 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 08: Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun defended by \a8\ during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 8: Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun shoots over Pauline Astier #18 of the New York Liberty in the first quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean D. Elliot/Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE — Olivia Nelson-Ododa couldn’t get around New York Liberty’s Han Xu.
The former UConn women’s basketball star tried to back Xu down, but the 6-foot-11 center poked the ball loose from Nelson-Ododa’s dribble. The former Husky quickly recovered the ball and tossed it to her former UConn teammate Aaliyah Edwards.
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Edwards wasted no time. She drove into the lane hard, drawing the foul from Xu in the process as the ball bounced off the backboard and into the net. Edwards ended her sprint at the baseline, where she dabbed up a Connecticut Sun fan already standing in celebration.
“I was really locked in,” said Edwards. “I was in my flow state a little bit, but no, I think that it was just a great moment because my teammates rallied behind me, but also we were just flowing.”
In a night where Connecticut nearly broke its bad habit of poor late-game closes, the former Huskies stepped up in their best performances of the season in the Sun’s 89-80 loss to New York.
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Nelson-Ododa and Edwards had their feet on the gas all game, but especially down the stretch, where the two combined for 22 of the Sun’s 45 second-half points. Each former Husky scored a season-high 15 points and played over 26 minutes. Nelson-Ododa led the Sun with a season-high eight rebounds, while Edwards led with three steals.
Aaliyah Edwards #8 of the Connecticut Sun puts up a shot over Leonie Fiebich #13 of the New York Liberty as Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty battles Raegan Beers #15 of the Connecticut Sun for position in the second quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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With Connecticut (2-11) already down two frontcourt starters in Brittney Griner (rib) and Aneesah Morrow (left leg sprain), the two Huskies knew they were needed, especially against the Liberty, one of the biggest teams in the league.
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“I think with us just having numbers down and people down, it’s just next man up mentality,” said Nelson-Ododa. “I think that was our focus tonight. As a team, as a collective, it’s to come out, step up for one another, and really compete in this game.”
Nelson-Ododa earned her second start of the season on Monday and got things going for the Sun. She didn’t hesitate to guard Xu and scored three of the Sun’s first five points, while also putting up a block on fellow Husky great Breanna Stewart. Nelson-Ododa was aggressive on defense, but even more impactful on offense. She took her time shaking off defenders and finding the right play instead of rushing.
Even after picking up her fourth foul early in the third quarter, the former Husky remained poised. She kept her head down and continued to work. The center finished a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor, scoring 12 of her 15 points in the second half.
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 8: Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun battles inside with Breanna Stewart #30 and Han Xu #21 of the New York Liberty in the first quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 8, 2026 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean D. Elliot/Getty Images)
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Monday was Edwards’ first game back after missing the last four due to a concussion. The former Husky All-American didn’t miss a beat. Like Nelson-Ododa, she attacked the glass repeatedly and anchored the Sun’s energy in the fourth quarter.
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Edwards scored a game-high seven points in the final 10 minutes, including her and-one that got the Sun within seven with about six and a half minutes left. Her pair of free throws with 45 seconds left pulled the Sun within five.
“She’s never playing without her energy, that’s something that she brings every single night,” said Sun coach Rachid Meziane.
Despite the loss and another poor night from the stripe (Sun finished 13-of-23 on free throws, including missing a pair with 15 seconds left and down seven), Meziane said this was the first game all season where he was proud of the team’s energy throughout the full 40 minutes.
Diamond Miller (10) and Saniya Rivers (12) also finished in double-figures, while the Sun’s defense forced New York (8-4) into season-high tying 19 turnovers and a 27 percent clip from deep.
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“For the first time, I didn’t have to question our energy, our effort tonight,” said Meziae. “I am proud of my players tonight, because we competed … We played a good, a great, New York team tonight. We forced them to play (our way), so I can consider that a good step forward for us.”
Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun drives to the basket against Han Xu #21 of the New York Liberty during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun on June 8, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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The Sun got within one point of the Liberty four separate times during the second quarter. But it was game over once New York opened the second half on a 7-0 run to lead by double-digits. Connecticut got as close as five in the final minute, but couldn’t pull out the upset.
“We just need to get over that hump, and we’re right there, like, you could just see it, you can feel it, we’re right there,” said Nelson-Ododa. “We’re just gonna have to keep pushing through until we are able to get a win, especially a win over a good team like that. … I think in earlier games of the season, you could see us disband when things don’t really go our way. And so, regardless of the outcome tonight, I really just wanted to see us stay together.”
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Stewart led New York with 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals, becoming the fastest Liberty player to score 2, 500 points.
“We know that Stewie is one of the best players in the world, so we know that we cannot limit her to zero points, but she scored a lot of tough shots,” said Meziane.
The Sun plays at Toronto on Wednesday before returning to Uncasville to host Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Injury updates
Griner missed her seventh game of the year on Monday, sitting out with a left rib injury. The 10-time All-Star also missed four games last month due to a rib injury.
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Morrow was seen on the sideline not participating in Sunday’s practice before being ruled out of Monday’s game with a left leg sprain. The second-year forward leads the league with eight double-doubles this season. Meziane said the team would have a better estimate of Morrow’s recovery timeline after further evaluation on Tuesday.