Sun mark franchise's last game in Connecticut with victory, joy - ESPN

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The past 13 months for the Connecticut Sun and their fans have been ones of confusion and heartache as the franchise's sale and relocation went from possibility to reality, all while wins on the court became more difficult to come by.

But the final moments of the organization's storied 24-season history will be remembered as ones of celebration, joy and winning.

The Sun prevailed 95-81 on Thursday over the Toronto Tempo in their final game before the franchise's impending relocation to Houston, bringing a sellout crowd of 8,911 at Mohegan Sun Arena to its feet as the clock ticked down to zero.

The Sun had just 10 wins on the season entering Thursday and had dropped six straight. A loss against Toronto would have ensured them the best odds at the No. 1 pick in the 2027 draft.

But the young, rebuilding Sun knew they were playing Thursday for more than what any numbers or records could reflect.

«Coach spoke about us playing for our pride — pride for our fans, pride for our name, pride for the organization itself,» said guard Ashlon Jackson, whose 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining marked the final points in franchise history. «I think we did just that.»

Even once the final buzzer sounded, the fans did not want to leave. They watched the team gather for one final photo at half court. They watched WNBA legend Brittney Griner take the Sun flag and run around the floor before going around and high-fiving fans sitting courtside.

They watched Aaliyah Edwards, who starred collegiately at nearby UConn, declare on the postgame broadcast, «This is the basketball capital of the world, baby! Don't ever forget!»

Team president Jen Rizzotti — a self-described Connecticut girl and UConn legend who will move with the