Following a 0-5 start to the 2025 season, the Connecticut Sun are finally on the board with an 85-83 win over the shorthanded Indiana Fever.

Despite the long road ahead in the young season, the Sun took a moment to celebrate their first win of the year. Marina Mabrey, Saniya Rivers, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and others acknowledged their victory by dancing with each other in the locker room after the game.

Mabrey led the team with 26 points, five rebounds and five assists. The eighth-year guard torched the Fever from deep all night, going 4-for-6 from behind the arc while shooting an efficient 10-for-17 from the floor. Following a slow start to the year, Mabrey has now reached double figures in four straight, including three games with 19 or more points.

While the Sun's win ended a five-game skid, the result also handed the Fever their third consecutive loss. Indiana has not won since topping the Atlanta Dream 81-76 on May 22 and is 0-2 without Caitlin Clark, who remains sidelined with a quad injury.

The matchup marked the Sun's first matchup with ex-head coach Stephanie White, who is in her first year back with the Fever. Despite White claiming the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year award, Connecticut fired her after losing in the WNBA semifinals for the second straight year.

Article Continues Below
More Connecticut Sun News
Indiana Fever guard Jaelyn Brown poses for a photo Wednesday, April 30, 2025, during the Indiana Fever media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Sun sign former Fever forward amid poor start to 2025 WNBA seasonDavid Yapkowitz ·
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers drives the ball against Connecticut Sun guard Saniya Rivers in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Sun rookie Saniya Rivers claims ‘random’ Marina Mabrey friendship helped WNBA adjustmentJess Koffie ·
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket while being defended by Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (3) during the second half at Barclays Center.
Marina Mabrey hits all-time WNBA low point in Sun’s 48-point loss to LibertyRichard Pereira ·
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) defends against Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) and guard Marina Mabrey (3) in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Sun get multiple injury updates for Fever clashJulian Ojeda ·
Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington (21) defends against Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (3) in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Wings-Sun matchup turns into night of reunions for WNBA starsJess Koffie ·
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles reacts after her packet and one against Dallas Wings center Teaira McCowan in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Sun stars make Knicks-Pacers bold predictions for Eastern Conference FinalsJess Koffie ·

Sun still finding footing after tumultuous offseason

Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (4) dribbles the ball during the second half against the Indiana Fever during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Though the Sun fell one game short of a WNBA Finals appearance, they decided to turn their entire team over in the 2024-2025 offseason. In addition to firing White, Connecticut blew up its entire roster and got rid of Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones, Dijonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris and Veronica Burton.

In essence, the team coughed up every key player aside from Marina Mabrey and Olivia Nelson-Ododa. Given the massive overhaul, Mabrey requested a trade from the team but was denied, causing a minor rift.

The Sun managed to sign former MVP Tina Charles in the offseason, but otherwise embraced a full rebuilding youth movement. Connecticut selected Saniya Rivers and Aneesah Morrow in the 2025 WNBA Draft, while acquiring second-year guard Jacy Sheldon in the four-team trade that sent Carrington and Harris to the Dallas Wings. They also received former assists leader Natasha Cloud in the deal, but subsequently shipped her to the New York Liberty.