The Connecticut Sun’s season has taken a concerning turn. Once considered playoff contenders, the team now finds itself trapped in a vicious cycle of bad performances and persistent roster upheavals. Most recently, the team made news by releasing a rookie center, who didn’t score in her previous three games.
The move comes amid increasing worries about team performance during what has been one of the most turbulent periods in the team’s recent past. This marks the organization’s efforts to make space for fresh talent and rebuild the direction of its struggling campaign.
Connecticut Sun Releases Rookie Kariata Diaby After Scoreless Games
The Connecticut Sun announced on July 2 via their official X (formerly Twitter) handle that they had waived rookie center Kariata Diaby. She appeared in 13 games this season, but after managing not to score in her past three games, the team decided to release her. The action was during a deep losing skid that has revealed structural problems with the roster.
In Diaby’s stead, the Sun are calling up Leïla Lacan, a guard drafted with the 10th overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft. Having finished up overseas commitments, Lacan should contribute veteran international poise to the team’s backcourt mix. Waiving Diaby indicates the Sun’s eagerness to remake the team, with a focus on enhancing offensive rhythm and on-court equilibrium.
Thank you, Kariata 🧡
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) July 2, 2025
With the waive of Kariata Diaby, The Connecticut Sun activate Leïla Lacan. pic.twitter.com/VpOf2f5lT5
With three consecutive games without a point and unable to establish a role in regular minutes, Kariata Diaby became the newest player to be waived. Diaby, a rookie international player who signed with the team this season, had difficulty providing contributions in sparse minutes of playing time.
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Connecticut Sun Hoping To Revive Their Season
The 2025 season has not been kind to the Sun, who are sitting at the bottom of the WNBA as of early July. Their 2–15 record is the worst in the league. Most recently, they are on a nine-game losing streak, their longest in years. Moreover, the team ranks last in key offensive categories like shooting percentage, three-point effectiveness, scoring average, and assists. A dismal 48-point defeat to the New York Liberty on June 1 underscored the team’s consistency issues.
While individual performances were respectable from players such as Marina Mabrey (15.2 PPG), Tina Charles (14.9), and Olivia Nelson‑Ododa (8.9), the team has not been cohesive overall. First-year head coach Rachid Meziane has recognized the adjustment issues as the newly assembled roster tries to develop chemistry and consistency.
Off the court, meanwhile, the Mohegan Tribe, the team’s ownership, has been said to have started considering possible investment or sale options, which raised questions as to the franchise’s long-term future and potential relocation.