A Reason to Believe in This Sunset Season

Leïla Lacan's return highlighted the promise of Connecticut's young core, and why this season's story is still being written.

Leïla Lacan made her 2026 debut in Hartford last weekend, and for one night, the Connecticut Sun gave fans something they have been searching for all season: hope.

The French guard returned against the Los Angeles Sparks and finished with 12 points and three assists in Connecticut's 84-81 victory. The stat line wasn't perfect, and the rust was evident at times, but that almost felt beside the point. From the opening minutes, Lacan looked like she'd never left, scoring seven of the Sun's first 15 points and igniting a 15-8 run that set the tone. She attacked the basket, created opportunities for teammates, and brought a level of confidence and intensity this team has been missing.

It helped that she wasn't carrying the night alone. Aneesah Morrow turned in 17 points and 14 rebounds for her fourth straight double-double, the kind of steady production that has quietly become the Sun's backbone. But it was Lacan's presence that changed the energy of the game.

For a franchise navigating its final season in Connecticut, every bright spot feels a little more meaningful. The wins have been hard to come by, and the uncertainty surrounding the team's future has made this season feel different than any before it. But on Saturday night in Hartford, there was a glimpse of what this team could become, and it was enough to remind fans why they continue to show up.

Why Lacan Matters

If last season taught us anything, it's that Leïla Lacan has a way of elevating the players around her.

When she joined the Sun midway through the 2025 season, she quickly became one of the most exciting young guards in the league. She averaged 10.4 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.4 rebounds across 25 games, but the number that told the real story was her 2.2 steals per game, which led all WNBA rookies and ranked second in the entire league. That kind of disruption earned her a spot on the AP All-Rookie team, and it hinted at something bigger than the box score. The offense flowed better. The defense became more disruptive. The team became more competitive.

That influence was noticeable again in her return.

Even while working her way back into game shape, Lacan brought a level of pace and creativity that helped Connecticut find offensive opportunities. Defensively, she continued to make life difficult for opposing guards, something this young roster desperately needs. Her ability to impact both ends of the floor is one of the reasons so many people inside and outside the organization believe she can be a cornerstone piece moving forward.

The Young Core Continues to Grow

The Hartford win was encouraging, and even the Commissioner's Cup loss to Atlanta a few nights later had moments fans can build on.

The Sun ultimately fell 91-75 to the Dream, but the final margin doesn't capture how competitive this one was for most of the night. Connecticut actually led 51-50 in the third quarter, with Morrow again leading the way (20 points, 13 rebounds) and Saniya Rivers and Lacan chipping in 11 apiece. It was the fourth quarter that got away from them, a cold stretch where the Sun couldn't find the basket while Rhyne Howard poured in 36 to pull the game out of reach. For three quarters, though, this was a young team going toe-to-toe with one of the league's best, and that's worth holding onto.

Morrow continues to show why she has the potential to become a foundational player for this franchise. Her relentless motor and ability to impact the game on both ends have been evident from day one. Rivers has flashed the versatility, athleticism, and defensive instincts that made her such an intriguing prospect coming into the league. Add Lacan to that mix, along with Aaliyah Edwards when she returns to full health, and it's not difficult to see a foundation beginning to take shape.

This group is still learning. There will be mistakes, difficult stretches, and growing pains along the way. That's the reality of building around young players. But there are also moments when the vision becomes clear, and both the Hartford win and the better stretches in Atlanta provided those moments.

Making the Most of This Sunset Season

The phrase "sunset season" has become impossible to ignore.

As Connecticut fans navigate what may be the final year of Sun basketball in the state, every game feels a little more significant. Every win is worth celebrating. Every memorable moment feels worth holding onto.

While this season has not unfolded the way many hoped, there is still plenty left to play for. Development matters. Building chemistry matters. Discovering which pieces can lead this franchise into its next chapter matters.

Most importantly, there is still time to turn this season around.

At 2-9, the Sun remain a young team searching for consistency, but they are also a team beginning to get healthier and more complete. Lacan's return gives Connecticut another playmaker, another defender, and another reason to believe brighter days could still be ahead.

The wins may not come overnight, but the pieces are there. Now the challenge is putting them together for forty minutes instead of twenty-five, often enough to change the trajectory of this season.

For the first time in a while, that possibility feels real.