DiJonai Carrington shined as the Connecticut Sun secured a victory against the Los Angeles Sparks in a memorable game held at Boston’s iconic TD Garden. This game marked a historic moment as it was the first-ever WNBA game to be played at the legendary venue, known for hosting intense NBA matchups between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Record-Breaking Attendance at TD Garden
The game drew an impressive crowd, with 19,156 tickets sold, making it the third-highest attendance for a WNBA game this season. Moreover, it set a new record for the most tickets sold for a Connecticut Sun game in the franchise’s history.
Carrington’s Performance and Post-Game Comments
Carrington, who scored 19 points and added four rebounds in the Sun’s 69-61 win over the Sparks, did not shy away from expressing her thoughts after the game. She called out the WNBA for not adequately promoting the event, stating, “I feel like Connecticut as a franchise is historically disrespected. Sometimes, if you want something, you’ve got to go out there and do it for yourself. That’s what I did for us.”
Lack of Promotion and National Broadcast
Carrington voiced her disappointment over the lack of publicity and promotion from the league, emphasizing that the game should have been aired on a national television network. Instead, it was only available through the WNBA League Pass and livestreamed on the WNBA’s X (formerly known as Twitter) account.
Before the game, Carrington had already taken to X to express her concerns about the lack of promotion, tagging the WNBA in her post.
Team Support and Key Players
Carrington was not alone in leading her team to victory. Brionna Jones contributed 15 points, surpassing 2,000 career points, while Tyasha Harris added 14 points. Alyssa Thomas came close to a triple-double with nine points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists.
A Close Contest with a Strong Finish
The game was tightly contested, especially in the fourth quarter when the Los Angeles Sparks held a 59-55 lead with just over four minutes remaining. However, the Sun responded with a decisive 14-2 run, securing their 11th consecutive win over the Sparks.
Sun’s Impressive Season Record
With this win, the Connecticut Sun improved their season record to 20-7, despite a modest 38.4% shooting performance. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Sparks fell to 6-22 on the season.
Coach Stephanie White’s Gratitude
Sun coach Stephanie White expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m really thankful. Our team and our players, they deserve this, and they got an opportunity to experience it.” She praised the turnout, highlighting the significance of the event for the league’s growth and the strong support from New England sports fans.
Conclusion
This game at TD Garden was not just a win for the Connecticut Sun but also a significant milestone for the WNBA. It showcased the growing popularity of women’s basketball and the passion of its fans, setting the stage for even more exciting developments in the future.(JiliAsia)
