UNCASVILLE — Rookie Leila Lacan scored six points in the last 30 seconds and the Connecticut Sun beat Phoenix 87-84 on Saturday, dealing a blow to the Mercury hopes of claiming the second seed for next week’s playoffs.
Lacan, who joined the team midway through the season, drove the lane for an 83-81 lead with 27.8 seconds to go and added two free throws with 9.7 seconds left. After a Satou Sabally 3-pointer she closed the scoring with 3.7 seconds left with two more free throws.
The Sun ended the Phoenix six-game winning streak and spoiled the moment when Alyssa Thomas reclaimed the single season assist record.
Marina Mabrey scored 23 points for Connecticut (11-31) and Lecan had 14. Veteran Tina Charles, whose life-saving charity was honored before the game bringing her to tears, had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie Aneesah Morow had nine points and 13 rebounds.
Connecticut closes the season with a home-and-home with Atlanta beginning Monday in Atlanta. Phoenix plays host to Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Charles gets emotional surprise: Tina Charles has been helping to save countless lives for more than a decade with her charity — Hopey’s Heart Foundation.
On Saturday, the Connecticut Sun in partnership with Yale New Haven Health donated $20,000 to help Charles reach a milestone of donating 500 AEDs (automated external defibrillators). She’s 17 short right now. Each AED can cost thousands of dollars.
“We’ll get there this fall now and I’m very thankful that the Lord chose me to be able to carry out this mission,” Charles said. “It’s really just my heart and been a blessing in memory of my late aunt.”
Charles teared up during the on-court presentation before the game as she was surprised by the donation.
https://www.courant.com/2025/09/06/leila-lacan-sun-deal-phoenix-seeding-hopes-a-blow-with-87-84-win/
