Connecticut Sun head coach Rachid Meziane absolutely unloaded after his team’s brutal 89-64 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, flat-out saying he “hated a lot of things” about how they played. Just 24 hours after one of their best games of the season against the Chicago Sky, the Sun delivered what Meziane called one of their worst efforts, making it clear this wasn’t just a loss, it was a systemic failure.
The On-Court Meltdown That Made Meziane See Red
This wasn’t just a tough night; this was an unraveling right from the jump. Meziane didn’t hesitate, saying the game was “over at halftime.” You know it’s bad when the coach basically throws in the towel before the third quarter even starts. Golden State clicked early, rattling off 11 unanswered points, including a steal-and-score from former Husky Kaitlyn Chen. They ended the first quarter on a ridiculous 18-4 run, leading by as much as 17.
The Sun’s offense? Non-existent. They went scoreless for the final four minutes of the second quarter and shot a pathetic 9-of-33 from the floor in the first half. That 28-point halftime deficit was a mountain they weren’t going to climb. Even worse, the effort got *worse* after the break, with Golden State stretching their lead to 35 points. Sure, it was the second game of a back-to-back, but Meziane’s frustration went way beyond mere exhaustion, hitting at a lack of respect for themselves on the court. Charlisse Leger-Walker, despite early foul trouble along with Saniya Rivers, was the only glimmer of hope, dropping a career-high 17 points, plus four assists and three rebounds. Rookie Nell Angloma chipped in 11 points, two boards, and a steal, but that’s about it for the silver linings.
Beyond the Box Score: No Playoffs, New City
Let’s be real, this loss isn’t just about one game. The Sun are sitting at a dismal 10-28, second-to-last in the league. They got eliminated from playoff contention over two weeks ago, so the stakes are purely internal. Star Leila Lacan left for the World Cup, and a bunch of other players have been in and out with injuries, which is tough, but it doesn’t excuse the complete lack of energy. Meziane isn’t even trying to hide it; he’s focused on developing the younger talent, saying, “We’ve known for a long time that we are not fighting for playoffs, a playoff spot.” Leger-Walker herself acknowledged how much they miss Lacan’s presence, both offensively and defensively.
The fan base isn’t exactly rallying either. The loudest cheers at Mohegan Sun Arena weren’t for their home team, but for the opposing team’s former UConn players. That’s a gut punch right there. The “Golden Hour” the franchise hyped for their final games has been anything but. With a relocation to Houston on the horizon, the team is staring at a complete rebuild.
The Sun now heads into a two-and-a-half-week World Cup break. It’s not just a chance for rest, it’s a critical moment for this squad to look inward. Can they use this time to reset, find some pride, and start building the foundation for their future in Houston? Or will this level of effort become the new normal as they prepare to pack their bags?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply