The Connecticut Sun received tough news just as the WNBA season heads into its final stretch, and it is not looking anywhere near positive. They recently announced that guard Bria Hartley will miss the rest of the season due to a meniscus tear in her right knee, suffered during a practice session. This will be yet another blow weeks after Hartley got into a scuffle with Rebecca Allen that saw three ejections.
With only five games left, including a matchup against Brittney Griner’s Atlanta Dream on Monday, September 1, the Sun are now heading towards the playoff push without one of their key veterans. The team remains optimistic, though Hartley will soon be back after a full recovery.
Sun’s Bria Hartley Out For Season With Knee Injury
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Sun, as Hartley’s injury comes as a gut punch. While they are already struggling at 10-29, near the bottom of the WNBA standings, injuries like this only trouble the already troubled water. However, the Sun’s ownership recently alleged that the WNBA had blocked the franchise sale.
However, the injury came right in when the 32-year-old guard was having a solid comeback season. She had to sit out of the WNBA since 2022 due to a previous ACL tear. In her first year with Connecticut, Hartley started 32 of 38 games, averaging 8.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting an impressive 36.7% from three.
PRESS RELEASE: Bria Hartley to Miss Remainder of Season
— Connecticut Sun PR (@CTSunPR) August 31, 2025
Details: https://t.co/ItKKs3rcEW pic.twitter.com/9RbyORY4d6
Though her experience and sharpshooting were vital for a team looking to build momentum, her absence will be a big blow as they face a tough Atlanta squad. Additionally, the timing of her injury couldn’t be worse.
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The Sun will take on the 25-14 Dream, who’ve been a dark horse this season under coach Karl Smesko. Atlanta is riding high after a 100-78 rout of the Dallas Wings. Griner, in her first year with the Dream after a storied run with the Phoenix Mercury, is averaging 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks, bringing veteran grit to a team eyeing a deep playoff run.
Bria Hartley Hit With Third Season-Ending Injury
While they are already short-handed with the latest injury, Monday’s 1 p.m. ET clash at Mohegan Sun Arena will test Connecticut’s depth without Hartley. The team will meet a team that is coming in heavy with seven wins out of the last ten games played. They lost just three of them.
However, this isn’t Hartley’s first battle with injury. A former UConn star and the No. 7 pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft, she’s faced two ACL tears. The first one came back in 2020 with the Mercury and another in 2022 with the Sun. This would be her third season-ending knee injury in five years.
Despite the setbacks, Hartley will shine through this season. Fans even praised her leadership and clutch play.