Mystics' opponents to face without first-round draft picks in their lineup on Sunday
The Connecticut Sun kick off their 2025 WNBA season on the road against the Washington Mystics, but they'll be shorthanded due to injuries and personal issues. The Sun nabbed a pair of first-round picks in the 2025 draft, selecting Aneesah Morrow at No. 7 and Saniya Rivers at No. 8, but both players have been ruled out for Sunday's game, the team announced.
Unfortunately, Aneesah Morrow will miss the Sun's season opener due to a knee injury, while Saniya Rivers is out due to personal reasons following the tragic loss of her mother.
Leila Lecan, last year's first-round pick, is also sidelined right now. Her contract is temporarily suspended because she's participating in overseas commitments. However, her contract is only on ice for the moment, so she'll be joining the team later in the season.
The Sun also said goodbye to All-Star vet Diamond DeShields before the season opener.
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With three key players out, the Sun will field just nine players for their opening game against the Mystics. Two of those players are rookies in Rayah Marshall and Kariata Diaby. Marshall was selected with the No. 25 pick in the draft, while Diaby was signed as a training camp invite and made the final roster.
The Sun ended up losing their entire starting lineup, including Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Tyasha Harris, DiJonai Carrington, and Brionna Jones, and key reserve Veronica Burton was picked up by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft.
Stephanie White was let go as head coach, and Rachid Meziane was brought in as the new man at the helm. Meziane is the Belgian national team head coach. The Sun made the playoffs last year and reached the WNBA Semifinals but were eliminated by the Minnesota Lynx.
Saniya Rivers will not be playing in the Sun's season opener due to personal reasons. With Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers out, the Sun will have only nine players for their opening game against the Mystics, including rookies Rayah Marshall and Kariata Diaby.
