The Connecticut Sun secured its first victory of the young WNBA season on Wednesday night, defeating the Seattle Storm 80-78.
Kennedy Burke delivered the game's defining moment, converting a clutch, 3-point play with just 2.8 seconds remaining. The 2026 free agency acquisition scored a total 15 points for the Sun.
Although Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman got a clean look at a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, her shot missed as time expired to seal the Sun's hard-fought win.
Sun Lineup Shifts After Aneesah Morrow Injury
Connecticut entered the game riding a five-game losing streak, tying for the longest opening-season drought in franchise history.
The Sun's night got worse when starter Aneesah Morrow exited with an apparent injury minutes into the second quarter. Morrow had logged double-doubles in her previous four games, but finished Wednesday's matchup with just two points in seven minutes.
With the starting unit combining for four points on 1-of-7 shooting in the first half, the Sun subsequently shifted their lineup, starting three rookies in the second. That — combined with Burke's buzzer-beater — sparked a huge scoring spree.
Kennedy Burke Spoils Seattle Comeback in Sun vs Storm Win
Seattle fought back late despite missing center Dominique Malonga, who sat out her second straight game due to concussion protocol. Hiedeman kept the Storm competitive by putting up 20 points, while Mackenzie Holmes added a career-high 18.
Jade Melbourne then scored a reverse layup with 59 seconds remaining to give Seattle its first second-half lead at 76-75.
But Burke's late-game heroics ultimately handed the Storm its third consecutive defeat. The cross-conference rivals face off again this Friday in Seattle.
