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2024 Season Review: Has the Connecticut Sun’s championship window closed?

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2024 Season Review: Has the Connecticut Sun’s championship window closed?


In many ways, 2024 was a characteristic Connecticut Sun season.

The team exceeded expectations, propelled by their toughness, tenacity and just enough timely shotmaking to finish with a 28-12 record and at No. 3 in the league standings. Alyssa Thomas bullied her way to triple-doubles. DeWanna Bonner played with ageless energy. DiJonai Carrington established herself as a star in her role. Brionna Jones returned to her pre-injury efficiency. Midseason addition Marina Mabrey immediately imbibed the Sun’s signature intensity. Ty Harris emerged as a solid two-way starting point guard. Veronica Burton earned playing time with her aggressive perimeter defense.

The Sun have a blueprint for regular-season success. But in the postseason, they once again hit a ceiling. Connecticut took the Minnesota Lynx to Game 5 of the semifinals before they gave out, their effortfulness unable able to overcome their opponent’s more efficient execution.

This time, however, might have been the last time that this era of Sun basketball replayed this script. So, what went right, what went wrong and what’s next for Connecticut?

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What went right for the Sun?

DiJonai Carrington and Marina Mabrey.
Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
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DeWanna’s not done

Although she made it clear during her exit interview that this was NOT her final WNBA season, DeWanna Bonner’s play throughout her 15th season should have made it obvious that the 37-year-old is not done.

Bonner keeps churning out similarly solid seasons. This year, that meant averages of 15 points, six rebounds, two assists and nearly two “stocks” (steals+blocks) per game. Those numbers, however, fail to capture all she still does for Connecticut. She is a 6-foot-4 Swiss Army Knife, possessing a combination of enviable length and sneaky strength that can be deployed across all positions on both ends of the floor.

Her longevity and consistency has resulted in a rise up the ranks of WNBA records. Having played the third-most regular-season games in league history at (502), she is fourth all-time in points (7482, just six points behind Tina Thompson for third) and ninth all-time in rebounds (3067, and again just three behind Thompson). In the playoffs, she’s scored the second-most points (1191), grabbed the third-most rebounds (593, five behind Tamika Catchings for second) and snagged the third-most steals (105, three behind Candace Parker for second).

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DiJonai’s earned improvement

Analysts and fans often bemoan the lack of opportunity for all but the highest-drafted WNBA players, as roster limitations frequently result in players selected outside the lottery struggling to find a WNBA home. Because of this structural reality, players who succeed in spite of less-than-favorable circumstances deserve all the more credit. DiJonai Carrington is now the ideal archetype of such a player.

The No. 20 overall selection in the 2021 WNBA Draft, Carrington has molded herself into a valuable player: a lockdown defender, a transition threat, a smart cutter and still-refining outside shooter. In 2024, her hard work culminated in the Most Improved Player award and a spot on the All-Defensive First Team.

And while Carrington deserves the majority of the credit for her growth, Connecticut also fostered the conditions necessary for her to blossom into the player she has become. The team’s other young vets—Ty Harris, Veronica Burton and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, all of whom began their WNBA careers with other organizations—also have experienced steady improvement in Uncasville, with all three establishing themselves as players who should enjoy long careers in the league because of their ability to contribute to a winning team.

Call me Mabrey!

Midseason trades in the WNBA are rare. Those that actually matter are even rarer. Yet, the Sun’s midseason swing for Marina Mabrey proved the perfect match.

Without the gun-slinging guard from the Chicago Sky, Connecticut likely would not have lasted until Game 5 of the semifinals. Mabrey, whether as a starter or sixth player, provided scoring juice for the Sun, fearlessly firing up jumpers. If she missed, she’d not hesitate when taking the next one. After makes, she’d celebrate with a snarl, expertly embodying the spirit of the Sun.

Her regular-season scoring and efficiency improved after joining the Sun, as she scored almost 15 points per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and better than 42 percent from 3. In the playoffs, she increased her production to almost 16 points per game.

What went wrong for the Sun?

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Connecticut Sun v New York Liberty

Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones.
Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images

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Not their best against the best

The Sun started the season with nine-straight wins. They then were 12-1 through the season’s first 13 games.

That first loss came to the New York Liberty. Their second and third losses, experienced back-to-back in the 14th and 15th games of the season, were to the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm. That’s three playoff teams that finished the season with winning records. For the season, Connecticut went 1-2 against New York, 0-3 against Vegas and 1-2 against Seattle. Their regular-season mark against Minnesota, the only other team to finish with a winning record, was 2-1. So when facing the league’s best teams, the Sun were a subpar 4-8.

Connecticut can be counted on to take care of business against the league’s mediocre and underwhelming teams. That’s not something that should be taken for granted, as winning consistently in the best women’s basketball league in the world is difficult. But the Sun do it, bringing their brand of physical, defense-first ball to the court regardless of what team is on the other side. What they haven’t quite cracked, though, is what to do when their brand of ball doesn’t work, when the opponent’s skills, strategy and stars can outpace and outlast the Sun’s grinding, gut-it-out approach.

Connecticut is good. They’re very good. But in 2024, just as in season’s prior, they were not good enough to beat the best and, in turn, win a WNBA title.

What’s next for Connecticut?

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Indiana Fever v Connecticut Sun - Game One

Stephanie White and Veronica Burton.
Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

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A coming Sun-set?

Was 2024 the last time that Connecticut hit their ceiling?

Thomas, Bonner and Jones are unrestricted free agents. Will the Sun choose to again outlay large salaries to trio when it seems less and less likely that next year will be the year when they finally will breakthrough and capture the franchise’s first, elusive championship? Or, with expansion and a new CBA on the horizon, will Connecticut choose to retool and build around a new core that, eventually, could bust through that ceiling and bring a title to Uncasville?

Because the three are unrestricted free agents, the choice does not belong to the Sun organization. (Thomas is eligible to be cored; Bonner and Jones are not.) The players themselves could opt for new opportunities. The team, however, will have a say over the future of Carrington, who is a restricted free agent. The organization also can unilaterally choose to retain Burton, a reserved player. As Mabrey and Nelson-Ododa are the only players on guaranteed contracts for 2025, Connecticut has flexibility, which they can use to work with Thomas, Bonner and/or Jones to ensure they remain in Sun uniforms or to build the next iteration of the Sun.

Whether Stephanie White will be the head coach of whatever the Sun look like in 2025 also is a question. When reporting on the Chicago Sky’s coaching search, Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times indicated that White is not expected to return. It is unclear if this decision is being initiated by White, who may see a more favorable coaching opportunity elsewhere, or the team’s management, which might seek a head coach who is not in line for an extension and higher salary, especially if the team’s stars do not return.

In short, don’t be surprised if significant upheaval happens in Uncasville this offseason.

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Body recovered after Bloomfield house fire and explosion

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Body recovered after Bloomfield house fire and explosion


A body was recovered after a house explosion resulting in a house fire in the area of Banbury Lane on Monday night.

Fire Marshal Roger Nelson says they recovered a body around 1:15 on Tuesday morning. The identity of the body found will not be released at this time.

When officers arrived around 6:11 p.m. they encountered the house fully in flames, police said.

According to police, the fire department was able to extinguish the fire, but the house sustained devastating damage.

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There are no criminal aspects related to this incident at this time.

The incident was contained to the one house.



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Exclusive | Ex-CBS anchor Josh Elliott back on Connecticut dating scene after ugly Liz Cho split

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Exclusive | Ex-CBS anchor Josh Elliott back on Connecticut dating scene after ugly Liz Cho split


Ex-CBS host Josh Elliott is looking for love eight months after he filed for divorce from “Eyewitness News” anchor Liz Cho.

“Josh is out and about on the dating scene in Fairfield County,” a spy exclusively tells Page Six. “He’s been seen at the bars in the area where middle-aged singles congregate.” 

A second source tells Page Six, “Josh isn’t dating anyone, but he is open to meeting people. His daughter is his priority.”

Page Six can also reveal that Elliott moved out of his and Cho’s estimated $4.2 million Connecticut marital home in January.

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Josh Elliott (pictured above back in July) is “open” to dating eight months after filing for divorce from Liz Cho. FOX Image Collection via Getty Images
The former CBS anchor (seen here in 2016 with his estranged wife) has been on the dating scene in Connecticut. Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix / Shutterstock

In court papers dated Jan. 29 and obtained by Page Six, Cho revealed Elliott moved out of their home and into a new residence without her knowledge.

Cho claimed she was notified by Optimum on Jan. 21, regarding her ex installing internet at his new home.

“The Defendant learned for the first time from said communication that on or about January 15, 2026, the Plaintiff secured an unfurnished rental residence located in Southport, Connecticut,” the filing read.

“It is now clear that the Plaintiff surreptitiously entered a new lease…” the court papers continued.

A rep for Elliott did not respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

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Elliott moved out of the Connecticut home he shared with Cho earlier this year. Getty Images
The former “Good Morning America” anchor divorced from Cho in June after a decade of marriage. Getty Images

Page Six broke the ousted CBS anchor filed for divorce from Cho after a decade of marriage on June 20, 2025.

“The marriage of the parties has broken down irretrievably,” the court papers read. Elliott asked for a “dissolution of the marriage” and for “an equitable distribution of all property, both real and personal.”

Cho responded to her estranged husband’s complaint on Nov. 6 and filed a cross-complaint against him. She also stated their marriage “has broken down irretrievably.”

The divorce became messy when Cho requested “copies of written correspondence, emails, cards, WeChat messages, Facebook messages, social media messaging, instant messaging, telephonic text messages, transcribed voicemail messages or any written forms of communication” between Elliott and “any person, other than the defendant, with whom [Elliott] have or have had a romantic and/or sexual relationship, from July 11, 2015, to the present.”

Elliott objected the request on the “grounds that the time frame of the request for production is unreasonable, unnecessary, harassing and not likely to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.”

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Cho also requested “monies spent for the benefit of any person with whom you have had a romantic and/or sexual relationship, other than the defendant,” “property given or transferred by you to any person with whom you have had a romantic and/or sexual relationship, other than the defendant,” “monies spent for your benefit by any person with whom you have had a romantic and/or sexual relationship with, other than the defendant.”

The TV personality in addition requested financial records, documentation proving Elliott’s search for employment — as he was ousted from CBS in 2017 — travel invoices, and more. Elliott objected to the requests.

A source close to the couple previously told Page Six, “This is standard in a divorce. Her lawyer is doing a thorough document request. The documents she is requesting are standard.” The insider also insisted there is no evidence Elliott had a relationship with anyone outside the marriage.

As Page Six reported, Cho requested documentation from Elliott, including financial. Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix / Shutterstock
He objected her requests, as their divorce proceedings have turned nasty. Cindy Ord

Also in the Jan. 29 court filing, Cho filed a motion for contempt against Elliott regarding their jointly owned marital Connecticut mansion.

Cho claimed Elliott arranged for a moving truck to come to the marital residence while she was on vacation with her daughter on Jan. 19.

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Cho claimed Elliott moved a “significant amount of furniture and furnishings from the marital residence,” and their “two Portuguese water dogs,” which she alleged at the time of the filing were not returned.

The court docs continued to allege, “On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, [Cho] realized that she was missing a valuable watch and earrings from her jewelry bag. As [Elliott] is the only other person who had access to the missing watch and jewelry, [Cho] believes [Elliott] is in possession of such personal property.”

She claimed his alleged actions are a “willful violation” of the court’s orders.

The insider alleged Elliott was the one to take care of the dogs and that he took “a small amount of furniture.”

In Elliott’s response to her filing, he objected to her request and claimed her allegations are “false and inflammatory.”

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He claimed in court papers, “[Cho] alleges [Elliott] ‘ransacked’ and ‘abandoned’ the marital residence — claims that are patently false and intended to annoy, harass and intimidate [Elliott].

“[Elliott] did not ransack the marital home. He did not damage the property. He did not render the residence uninhabitable. He removed limited personal property and furnishings so he would have a safe haven from [Cho’s] escalating and erratic behavior direct at not only [Elliott], but his minor child as well.”

Cho accused Elliott (seen in 2019) of taking their two dogs. Getty Images
She also accused him of taking her earrings — claims he denied in court papers. GC Images

In a separate filing, he continued to defend his actions by alleging, “[Elliott] removed only limited furniture items and furnishings, many from the basement, solely to furnish a new residence after removing himself and his child from a hostile environment created by [Cho]. All property remains intact and subject to equitable distribution.”

In regard to the jewelry claim, Elliott said, “Perhaps most egregious is [Cho’s] baseless accusation that [Elliott] stole her jewelry. This allegation is made without evidence, without corroboration and without even a good-faith attempt to verify the truth.”

He then accused her of “monitoring and listening to [Elliott’s] private phone calls; rifling through [Elliott’s] personal belongings and closet; leaving the marital residence for extended periods without communication despite the presence of two dogs requiring daily care” and more claims.

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He is requesting that the court deny her motion for contempt and they are due in court on March 20.

Lawyers for Cho and Elliott did not respond to Page Six’s request for comment regarding the divorce.

Elliott accused his estranged wife of escalating and erratic behavior. Lawyers for Cho did not respond to Page Six’s request for comment. Jamie McCarthy
Elliott is in talks to return to television to join Gayle King and Nate Burleson on “CBS Mornings.” Brian Ach

Elliott, 54, and Cho, 55, met while working for ABC and got married in July 2015.

This was the second marriage for both, as they each share a daughter from their previous relationships.

Cho has been with ABC on “Eyewitness News” since 2003, while Elliott was with ABC’s “Good Morning America” from 2011 to 2014.

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After a brief stint with NBC, he joined CBSN as lead daytime anchor in March 2016. Nearly a year later, he was let go from the company.

Elliott has been out of the spotlight in recent years, but is now in talks to join Gayle King and Nate Burleson on “CBS Mornings,” Awful Announcing reported.



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Man charged with murder in Hartford

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Man charged with murder in Hartford


A man was charged with murder and interfering with police on Sunday night.

According to police, officers were dispatched to an apartment on Washington Street for a wellness check of a woman who was reportedly unconscious and not breathing.

When officers arrived, they made contact with a man in the apartment who refused to cooperate and would not allow officers access. They then had to force entry into the apartment where they located the victim suffering from severe head trauma as well as the aggressive male, police said.

The man was secured and transported to the Hartford Police Detention Facility and is being held on a million-dollar bond.

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The victim was revealed to be 76-year-old Linda Anthony and was pronounced deceased on scene.

The Hartford Police Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.  



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