History was made on a Tuesday night in Boston, as the first-ever WNBA game was played in TD Garden in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd. The Sun defeated the Sparks 69-61, but the final score seemed almost secondary to the moment itself, which felt larger than life and teeming with historical significance.
The Sun trailed by four points with 4 minutes to play, but DiJonai Carrington (19 points) and Brionna Jones (15 points, 7 rebounds) helped Connecticut closed the game on a 14-2 run to pull out the win. More than 19,000 fans filled the stands for the first full-court professional basketball game in TD Garden since the Celtics beat the Mavericks to win the NBA championship in June.
The city of Boston hosted a block party ahead of the game, complete with signage, music, and a hoop bus that was teeming with little kids getting shots up. Sun head coach Stephanie White acknowledged pregame that she had chills entering the world-famous arena for practice the day prior.
Jrue Holiday, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time NBA champion, sat court-side alongside his wife, soccer legend Lauren Holiday, and two kids. Recent Celtics draft picks Anton Watson and Baylor Scheierman also cheered for Connecticut, as did Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum, who came by toward the end of the game
Alyssa Thomas finished the game with 16 rebounds, 9 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Her and-one layup with 3:21 to play gave the Sun a one-point lead — they never trailed again.
For the rebuilding Sparks, partaking in WNBA history was a privilege
At 6-22, the Sparks are now tied with the Mystics for the league’s worst record. St
