The Liberty enter this contest after a disappointing 78-62 loss to the Atlanta Dream, a game where they were overpowered from start to finish. The absence of Ionescu and Stewart was evident, as New York struggled to generate offense and left glaring holes across the court.

Jonquel Jones tried to carry the load with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Kennedy Burke added 13 points and five boards. Still, the performances were not enough to lift the Liberty, who looked out of rhythm without their two leaders.

Will Ionescu and Stewart play?

Breanna Stewart is one of four players listed as questionable for New York’s meeting with Connecticut. Alongside Stewart, the Liberty also list Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu, and Isabelle Harrison as questionable. Ionescu sat out the loss to Atlanta with a foot injury, while Stewart has been sidelined since late July with a knee bone bruise.

Stewart’s status remains uncertain, but the questionable designation is at least a sign of progress. While her participation is in doubt, there is growing optimism that she could return to the WNBA bench soon, even if her minutes are limited.

Ionescu’s case is similar. Her return would provide a huge boost for New York, who are just 5-8 without Stewart this season. Ionescu was dominant in a win over the Minnesota Lynx last week, but her lingering foot issue suggests the Liberty may have to proceed cautiously.

The weight of the stars

Ionescu has been the Liberty’s offensive anchor this year, averaging 19.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from the field. Stewart has been equally vital, contributing 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, reinforcing her status as one of the most versatile forwards in the league.

The defending champions have endured a tough stretch with injuries trimming their depth, but Monday’s game offers a chance to reset. If either Ionescu or Stewart takes the floor against the Sun, the Liberty’s chances of bouncing back will immediately rise.

Following the momentum-turning victory in Uncasville, the Fever are returning home with fresh spirits. As for Boston, she is making the flight back to Indianapolis as a new record-holder for the Fever, dethroning none other than Clark.

Boston now holds the record for most double-doubles in a WNBA season for a Fever player. After posting her 15th double-double of the 2025 campaign, Boston took over Clark’s place at the top of the list.

Ground to cover

Clark held the record with 14 double-doubles during the 2024 WNBA season, which was her rookie season. Now, Boston owns that milestone thanks to her 14 point, 13 rebound outing against the Sun. The 23-year-old can stretch the gap even further, as the Fever have nine games remaining in the regular season.

“AB, the double-double machine,” Indiana Fever posted on its social media account. “Congrats to Aliyah Boston on becoming the new franchise leader for most double-doubles in a single season with 15 & counting!”

Getting hot

You know it’s time to rest when the body temperature starts to increase and the first signs of fever appear. On that note, the WNBA should take note. The Fever is on the rise in Indianapolis.

The comeback victory in overtime against the Sun might not seem as much based on Connecticut’s standing in the WNBA. But make no mistake, Indiana is building off of it. Despite missing Clark for the 12th straight outing, the Fever simply found a way to win. Sophie Cunningham went down with an apparent serious knee injury, and the Fever pushed through it, too.

Historic

Thanks to an all-out performance from Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana secured a critical victory to improve its record to 19-16 in the 2025 season. It didn’t take long before congratulations poured in after Mitchell dropped a 38-point performance at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The odds were against Indiana, but the team simply kept their head down and overcame them. Without Clark and Cunningham, Mitchell made Fever history with her dominant performance in Uncasville. Now, the WNBA is on alert.

Mitchell took charge following Cunningham’s early exit, scoring 38 points and adding 6 assists. She carried the team’s offense and earned recognition from her teammates, who praised her performance on social media.

The Fever earned a dramatic overtime victory against the Sun, led by a brilliant performance from Kelsey Mitchell. The 29-year-old guard scored 38 points in the win, guiding her team through a second-half comeback that shifted the momentum completely.

Mitchell’s scoring surge also carried historical weight. With her performance, she became the Fever’s all-time leader in WNBA games with more than 30 points, reaching 11 such outings in her career. Her display highlighted not only her offensive firepower but also her ability to step up when her team needed it most.

At halftime, the Fever trailed 48-29, and the game looked headed toward a Sun victory. Instead, Indiana stormed back, outscoring Connecticut 23-15 in the third quarter and then 32-21 in the fourth to force overtime. Mitchell drove that response, taking control of the offense and setting the tone late.

While Mitchell’s heroics fueled celebration, the night also carried concern. In the second quarter, Sophie Cunningham went down in visible pain after an opponent landed on her right knee as she tried to block a pass. Teammates and staff rushed to her side, and the guard left the court sparking immediate worries about her condition.

The Fever await more information on Cunningham’s injury, but Mitchell’s performance offered reassurance. Even without key contributors like Caitlin Clark and Cunningham, the Fever proved they could rely on their veteran scorer to take charge and deliver when the game hung in the balance.

The 29-year-old delivered a memorable performance to help the Fever pull off a hard-fought, comeback win in overtime by dropping 38 points. With this production, she became the Fever player with the most 30+ point games in franchise history with 11.

Before Sunday’s win against the Sun, Mitchell was tied with Tamika Catchings in first place with 10 games scoring 30+ points each in a Fever uniform. Now, Mitchell has extended her lead over Clark on this stat to six games.

Without Clark and Cunningham, Mitchell gets it done for the Fever

Mitchell stepped up when the Fever needed her the most. With Cunningham leaving the game with an apparent knee injury early in the first quarter, the outlook was far from encouraging for Stephanie White’s team, which continues to miss its star player, Clark, due to a right groin injury.

The Fever went to halftime trailing 48-29, and it was hard not to imagine a loss by then. However, that’s when Mitchell turned up her game, with the Fever outscoring the Sun 23-15 in the third quarter before forcing overtime with a 32-21 difference in the fourth quarter.

In overtime, Mitchell and the Fever sealed the deal with a 15-9 score, drawing praise from the injured Clark and Cunningham―with both players thrilled to see her teammates get the job done without them.

A historic night for Mitchell

“Speechless, really… just put us on her back,” Fever coach Stephanie White said of Kelsey Mitchell’s performance, via Tony East. “She didn’t settle. Stayed aggressive. She willed us.“

Curiously, Mitchell’s first 38-point game had also come against the Sun. On this occasion, however, she had more assists (6 vs 2), less turnovers (3 vs 4), and less fouls (1 vs 5).

In addition, Across the Timeline notes that, with today’s performance, Mitchell joined Diana Taurasi as the only players in WNBA history with multiple games of 35+ points, 6+ assists, and 5+ three-pointers.

Mitchell’s 38 points and 6 assists tell the story of the Fever’s win at Mohegan Sun Arena. Immediately after the nail-biting triumph in Uncasville, Clark dropped a concise, yet determinant statement on her social media. “MVP Kels,” Caitlin Clark posted on her X account, formerly Twitter.

The Fever faced adversity early on Sunday afternoon. Just as the second quarter got started in Connecticut, Cunningham went down clutching her right knee in visible pain. The guard—a pivotal piece for Indiana—had to miss the remainder of the game as her status is yet to be cleared up by the organization.

Despite the steep climb that presented in front of the Fever, Mitchell put on a performance for the ages and led the side to a much-needed win. With the triumph in enemy territory, Indiana snapped a two-game losing streak before heading back home. How fitting is it that after facing the league’s bottom-feeders, the Sun, the Fever will now host the apex predator of the WNBA: the Minnesota Lynx?

Injury-riddled

The Fever’s playoff hopes are hanging on the hands of a stacked roster, that simply can’t catch a break. Clark has now missed 12 consecutive games due to a right groin injury. Injuries have been the name of the game for the former first overall selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

So far in the 2025 WNBA season, Clark has appeared in just 13 outings. Still, the Fever have managed to stay afloat and weather the storm. Some might say they kept the fever in check.

However, new problems have appeared on the horizon. Cunningham’s injury looks serious, and while evaluations have yet to be conducted on her knee, Indiana is seemingly holding its breath.

Takeover

Kelsey Mitchell has risen to the occasion, putting on a show night in and night out. The 29-year-old guard continues to guide the Fever when the tide gets rough and her stats show just that.

With averages of 19.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game, Mitchell has been the best player on the court for Indiana. When most would have given up on the season, the Ohio State alum has flipped the script.

As it stands, the Fever sit in seventh place in the WNBA. If the season ended today, they’d be in—but there’s still a way to go. And it’s shaping up to be a path filled with roadblocks and obstacles for Indiana.

Tina Charles’ return to the Connecticut Sun wasn’t just another signing—it was the comeback of a franchise icon. Her arrival reignited conversations, with analysts wondering what her new chapter in purple and orange might hold.

With an MVP title, multiple All-WNBA nods and a legacy built on dominance, she has long been a defining force. Now, as she reunites with the team that drafted her, the terms of her deal have become a hot topic beyond the box scores.

In a league where salary structures are evolving, veteran contracts carry weight beyond simple numbers. Her agreement hints at a careful balance between honoring her impact and adapting to the economics of today’s WNBA landscape.

What is Tina Charles’ salary with the Connecticut Sun?

Tina Charles signed a one-year free-agent deal worth $170,000 with the Connecticut Sun, a figure that mirrors both her veteran value and her protected status on the cap sheet, according to Spotrac.

Since her return in 2025, she has quietly become one of the top earners. That number places her squarely among the team’s highest-paid players, trailing only teammates like Marina Mabrey (earning $210,000) and Natasha Cloud ($200,000).

Tina Charles’ contract: How long does the deal last?

This chapter in Charles’s career is neatly contained—her return to the Sun comes via a single-season contract, set to expire at the end of the 2025 campaign. The Sun followed league practice: an announcement that resumed a narrative built over fifteen years in regional silence, referring only to a one-year deal and offering little else.

With no player or team options embedded, she stands as an unrestricted free agent at the close of the season—a dynamic that gives both her and the franchise room to reassess next steps amid shifting priorities.

Tina Charles has been a dominant force in basketball for over a decade. Known for her fierce presence in the paint and smooth mid-range game, she’s one of the most decorated players to grace the WNBA since her explosive debut in 2010.

From New York roots to Olympic gold and MVP honors, she has carved a path defined by both excellence and evolution. Whether leading the league in scoring or anchoring a new roster, she’s remained a cornerstone wherever she’s played.

Now suiting up for the Connecticut Sun once again, her journey comes full circle. But there’s more to her than stat sheets and accolades — her story is one of purpose, power, and a relentless drive that continues to shape her legacy.

How old is Tina Charles?

Born on December 5, 1988, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, Tina Charles has become a household name in women’s basketball, and at 36, her game continues to defy the clock. Her longevity in the league isn’t just a testament to her skill but to her unrelenting discipline.

Even after over a decade in the WNBA and multiple stints overseas, she hasn’t slowed down. Instead, she’s adapted, evolved, and refined her role — moving from a franchise star to a veteran leader, offering both impact and experience.

How tall is Tina Charles?

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters), Tina Charles brings more than just size to the court, she brings control. Her height has long given her an edge in the post, but it’s her court vision and footwork that elevate her from good to elite.

From her UConn days under Geno Auriemma to her WNBA peak, she has used her physicality to dominate inside, grab rebounds in traffic, and make defenders second-guess every move. In an era that prizes versatility, her stature remains one of her most effective weapons.

Tina Charles’ love life and family

Tina Charles continues to keep her private life well out of the public eye. Unlike many athletes of her stature, she’s never made headlines for her relationships or personal affairs — and that appears to be by design.

Her connection to family, however, remains a defining part of her off-court identity. The memory of her aunt, Maureen “Hopey” Vaz, continues to power her work through the Hopey’s Heart Foundation, which has placed over 500 AED devices across schools and community spaces in the U.S. and abroad.

What is Tina Charles’ jersey number?

Back in a Connecticut Sun uniform for the second straight season, Tina Charles enters the 2025 WNBA campaign once again wearing jersey number 31 — the same number she wore as a rookie 15 years ago.

Her decision to stick with #31 throughout her career speaks to a deep sense of consistency. Whether dominating with the Liberty, chasing titles with the Mystics and Mercury, or returning to her original team, that number has traveled with her.

Tina Charles’ career highlights

• NCAA Champion with UConn (2009): She played under legendary coach Geno Auriemma at the University of Connecticut, where she helped lead the Huskies to an undefeated season and a national title in 2009. She was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

• No. 1 Overall Pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft: Selected first by the Connecticut Sun, she made an immediate impact in the league. Her rookie season remains one of the strongest in WNBA history.

• WNBA Rookie of the Year (2010): She set the tone early, averaging a double-double and earning the Rookie of the Year award. She also broke the league’s single-season rebounding record that same year.

• WNBA MVP (2012): As a member of the Sun, she captured the league MVP after averaging 18 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Her dominance in the paint and leadership made her the centerpiece of the franchise.

• Multiple All-WNBA and All-Star Selections: She has been named to multiple All-WNBA First and Second Teams and earned several All-Star nods throughout her career, cementing her place among the league’s elite players.

• Olympic Gold Medals (2012, 2016, 2021): Representing Team USA, she won three Olympic gold medals. Her presence in the rotation brought defensive toughness and veteran stability to an already stacked roster.

• Scoring Champion (2016): With the New York Liberty, she led the WNBA in scoring, averaging 21.5 points per game. It was one of her most individually dominant seasons.

• Over 7,000 Career Points and 3,500 Rebounds: She is one of only a handful of players to surpass 7,000 points and 3,500 rebounds in a WNBA career — a feat that speaks to both her longevity and productivity.

• Humanitarian Impact and the “Hopey’s Heart Foundation”: Off the court, she has been equally impactful. She founded the Hopey’s Heart Foundation in 2013 to place AED devices in schools and recreational centers after the loss of her aunt to heart failure.

Marina Mabrey’s journey is far from ordinary. Joining the Connecticut Sun, her contract reveals more than just numbers; it’s a testament to a player whose hustle and versatility quietly shift the game in crucial moments.

Her salary and deal length don’t capture the full story of a guard carving her path amid a fiercely competitive roster. With each game, she proves why she’s more than a role player—she’s a key piece in the Sun’s championship puzzle.

This contract marks a new chapter, blending promise and pressure. As the Sun shape their future, her WNBA deal reflects a mutual bet: her talent rising and a team ready to harness it in the hunt for glory.

What is Marina Mabrey’s salary with the Connecticut Sun?

Marina Mabrey enters the 2025 WNBA season as the highest-paid player on the Connecticut Sun roster, earning a base salary of $210,000, according to Spotrac. This places her among the league’s top earners, reflecting her significant role.

Acquired in a mid-2024 trade with the Chicago Sky, her contract was a pivotal move for the Sun. The three-year, $620,000 deal underscores the team’s commitment to building a competitive roster around her talents.

Marina Mabrey’s contract: How long does the deal last?

Marina Mabrey’s current contract with the Connecticut Sun spans through the end of the 2025 WNBA season, completing the final year of her multi-year agreement signed when she was acquired from the Chicago Sky in 2024.

The contract’s duration offers both her and the Sun flexibility. For the player, it represents an opportunity to demonstrate her continued growth and value on a prominent stage, potentially leveraging this final season into a more lucrative or longer-term deal, whether in Connecticut or elsewhere.

Additionally, its conclusion aligns with critical league-wide changes, including the upcoming expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The renegotiation could bring shifts in salary caps, player benefits, and free agency rules.

Marina Mabrey carries an energy that feels unpredictable, the kind that Connecticut Sun fans have quickly learned to anticipate. Her game speaks louder than words, built on years of resilience and the pursuit of consistency.

The Sun’s fast-paced, physical identity seems almost designed for a guard like her—fierce on the perimeter, unafraid to push the tempo, and ready to make an impact when the lights are brightest.

Away from the box scores, her story deepens. She blends competitive fire with a grounded presence, shaping a profile that’s as intriguing as it is dynamic… a WNBA player balancing expectation, growth and the next steps in her career.

How old is Marina Mabrey?

Marina Mabrey was born on September 14, 1996, in Belmar, New Jersey, which makes her 28 years old as of August 2025. She has played in some of the most competitive environments the sport has to offer—college, international leagues, and the WNBA—while continuously redefining her role as a guard.

From her days as a star at Manasquan High School to leading Notre Dame to a national championship, every step of her career has been a testament to growth, resilience, and her ability to adapt to high-stakes basketball.

How tall is Marina Mabrey?

Marina Mabrey is officially listed at 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) and weighs approximately 170 lbs (77 kg). At nearly six feet tall, her build gives her a versatile edge on the court—tall enough to finish through contact yet quick enough to operate as a perimeter shooter.

Her height also plays a key role in her defensive contributions. She can comfortably guard multiple positions, adding flexibility to the Connecticut Sun’s rotations and providing valuable matchup advantages against smaller guards.

Marina Mabrey’s love life and family

Marina Mabrey comes from a large, sports-oriented family. Her parents, Patti and Roy, raised five children—she grew up alongside sisters Michaela and Dara and brothers Ryan and Roy Jr., in a household where competitiveness was part of daily life.

Her mother, Patti, coached youth basketball, helping to shape Marina’s game from an early age. Those backyard sessions and community gyms became the foundation for her disciplined approach and strong work ethic.

As for her romantic life, she keeps things entirely private. Despite a viral photoshoot with teammate Saniya Rivers that generated fan speculation, there has been no confirmation or public discussion of any relationship.

What is Marina Mabrey’s jersey number?

Since arriving at the Connecticut Sun in mid-2024, Marina Mabrey has worn jersey number 3. The number carries personal meaning. It’s the same jersey she wore during her standout college career at Notre Dame and continued to sport in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky.

It has become part of her identity—an emblem of her consistency and confidence. For Connecticut fans, #3 has quickly become synonymous with clutch shooting and fearless playmaking, representing not just a player on the court but a leader who thrives when the game is on the line.

Marina Mabrey’s career highlights

• NCAA glory: At Notre Dame, she was a key figure in the team’s 2018 national championship run, finishing her college career as the program’s all-time leader in made three-pointers (274) and scoring 1,896 points.

• Breaking into the WNBA: Drafted 19th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2019, she gained valuable early experience before being traded to the Dallas Wings, where her game began to flourish.

• Career-best performances: Her breakout came with the Chicago Sky, posting a career-high 15.0 points per game in 2023 along with nearly 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per contest, marking her as one of the league’s most well-rounded guards.

• Impact in Connecticut: After a midseason trade in 2024, she averaged 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists for the Sun and had a standout postseason debut, scoring 27 points off the bench—a WNBA playoff record.

• Success abroad: Beyond the WNBA, she has played for top clubs across Europe and Australia, winning domestic titles and earning Second Team All-EuroLeague honors, showcasing her adaptability on the global stage.

The scuffles that took place during Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun’s June 17 match are still a talking point among fans and players. After Sophie Cunningham’s defense on Caitlin Clark went viral and led to a petition, now Sun guard Marina Mabrey has broken her silence on her incident with Clark with an eight-word message.

“Damned if I do, damned if I don’t,” Mabrey said while addressing a commenter during an Instagram Live session alongside rookie teammate Saniya Rivers, who called her out for he incident with Clark (via Sports Illustrated).

The veteran shoved Clark to the ground after the Fever guard and Mabrey’s teammate Jacy Sheldon pushed each other. The incident led to a clash between the two teams, with Mabrey and Clark both receiving technical fouls. However, Mabrey’s was then later upgraded to flagrant 2.

Meanwhile, in the last quarter, Cunningham also had a scuffle with Sheldon, which ended up in another clash between the two sides. While Mabrey didn’t want to comment more on the situation, Rivers was more straightforward with her comments, calling Fever fans “delusional” for saying the fight was “forced.”

Sophie Cunningham receives additional fine

Despite the multiple altercations, no players were suspended following the heated game. Sophie Cunningham received an additional fine on top of the standard flagrant 2 penalty after pulling Sheldon to the ground, sparking a scuffle that led to the ejections of Cunningham, Sheldon, and Lindsay Allen.

Clark, Sheldon, and Mabrey also avoided further disciplinary action, as well as Fever coach Stephanie White who avoided a fine despite criticizing officials after the match. Indiana won the game 88–71, clinching a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup final.

The response from the Indiana Fever came in the fourth quarter when Sophie Cunningham, now nicknamed “The Enforcer” on social media, stood up for Clark by delivering a flagrant foul to Sheldon with 46 seconds left in the game. In light of this situation, head coach Stephanie White is tired of the referees allowing this kind of contact against Caitlin.

“It was pretty obvious that stuff was brewing. When the officials don’t get control of the ball game, when they allow that stuff to happen, and it’s been happening all season long. It’s not just this game. This is what happens, right? You’ve got competitive women who are the best in the world at what they do, right? And when you allow them to play physical and you allow these things to happen, they’re going to compete and they’re going to have their teammates backs.”

What happened between Caitlin Clark and Jacy Sheldon?

Jacy Sheldon poked Caitlin Clark in the eye, and just seconds later, Marina Mabrey shoved the Fever star, but to everyone’s surprise, she wasn’t ejected. For Coach White, what happened in the fourth quarter was no surprise. The game ended with six technical fouls and three ejections.

“It’s exactly what you expect out of fierce competition. I started talking to officials in the first quarter and we knew this was going to happen. You could tell it was going to happen. So, they got to get control of it. They got to be better. Get control of the game is call the fouls that are actually happening on the floor. Consistently. Not just if somebody swings and misses. I think it’s a league wide issue. I mean, bad officiating is bad officiating.”

By the way, with the win over the Sun, the Fever advanced to the Commissioner’s Cup Final in the WNBA. However, as has been the case since her arrival in the league, the main topic surrounding Caitlin remains the reaction she provokes in her opponents, and whether the physicality against her is excessive or not.