Hailey Van Lith and Brittney Griner both watched from the sideline as the Connecticut Sun dropped to 9-26 on the 2026 WNBA season after falling to A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces 101-78. And on Saturday, the Sun looked to bounce back on the road against Cameron Brink and the Los Angeles Sparks.
Van Lith hasn’t seen as much playing time during her second WNBA season, and first with Connecticut, as she would have hoped. The former LSU Tigers and TCU Horned Frogs guard has appeared in just 14 games in 2026, including three starts, averaging 6.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
However, after appearing in nine games to begin the season, Van Lith was waived before signing a developmental contract in late May. The new deal limits her to a maximum of 12 games since signing, and she has appeared in just five since the start of June.
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But Van Lith isn’t the only Sun player to miss games as of late. In fact, Griner has missed the last three games after suffering an ankle injury on August 13 against her former team, the Atlanta Dream.
And on Saturday, the Sun ruled Griner out once again for the matchup against the Sparks, marking the fourth consecutive game the center will miss. Along with Griner, forward Aaliyah Edwards has also been ruled out with a left ankle issue, while center Rayah Marshall will also be unavailable via coach’s decision.
With so many players sidelined for Connecticut, coach Rachid Meziane elected to activate Van Lith for the matchup in Los Angeles, marking the sixth game of her 12-game maximum under her developmental contract.
“UPDATED Game Status Report vs. Los Angeles Sparks – 8.22.26 Rayah Marshall – OUT (Coach’s Decision). Hailey Van Lith – AVAILABLE,” Connecticut Sun PR wrote on X.
Following the Sparks game, the Sun will be back in action on Tuesday, hosting Van Lith’s former squad, the Chicago Sky, at 7 p.m. ET.
