BOSTON – For the second consecutive year, a crowd of 19,156 fans landed in Boston’s iconic TD Garden to watch the WNBA game, host Connecticut’s sun set in Indiana on Tuesday, falling in the final game in the 85-77 battle on Tuesday.
“It was an amazing experience,” Sun star Tina Charles said. “Even if we didn’t win, it was a success.”
Natasha Howard of Indiana [was cool]. I was really surprised how many people came out today. ”
This summer, the crowd marked the third highest in the WNBA game, behind only the other two games with fever.
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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown attended the conference with other local star athletes, including Boston Red Sox's Lucas Giolito and women's football legend Kristine Lilly.
The Suns are about 100 miles from the hotel in Uncasville, Connecticut — and last August they beat the visiting Los Angeles Sparks to hold the team's first Boston game.
Suns president Jen Rizzotti said the team is happy to return for the second consecutive year.
“The energy and enthusiasm of the New England market last season were excellent and we are proud to continue to build this momentum and connect with our New England fan base,” Rizzotti said in a statement. “Women's basketball is at its biggest stage and we will continue to strengthen and demonstrate this mission.”
The crowd tends to be more fanatical and pro-Clark this time, but Sun fans also make their presence known, especially as Connecticut’s last-place game stays close until Indiana pulls off.
“Honestly, I think it’s fun,” said Sophie Cunningham of Indiana. “There is a lot of history in this building. The stuff I said about the city is a bit warm, but I love Boston, man. I really like Boston. You guys all need to find a team here.
“I think it’s really exciting to just play in the garden. I think seeing all these fans come out no matter which city we are in. It’s a family game for us, but I think we really like it.
Boston is increasingly becoming a potential location for WNBA franchise, whether it’s a new expansion team or the Suns are moving. Earlier this summer, the team confirmed that Suns’ ownership group Mohegan Tribe was exploring all options for the strategic investment team, including potential relocations.
“I think it's exciting,” Charles said of the prospect of having a team in Boston. “For me, my career and everything that happened has been in the New England area. So I'm going to be the No. 1 fan, whether I'm with the team or not. But I think the expansion and growth of the WNBA is amazing. Young girls and boys can dream about my dreams of dreaming about my dreams was my dream of watching New York's freedom in '97, so it's good for the area and everyone will be happy, I'll know, I'll meet.