Sun's Saniya Rivers opens up on viral incident during Fever showdown

After a sustained period of success and WNBA championship contention, the Connecticut Sun have entered a rebuild amid speculation that the team's ownership may change hands in the months ahead.

Between 2017 and 2024, the Sun made eight playoff appearances and reached the WNBA Finals twice, with players like DeWanna Bonner, Jonquel Jones and Alyssa Thomas propelling Connecticut into the league's elite.

But Bonner and Thomas departed Connecticut as free agents after the 2024 season, as did head coach Stephanie White. The Sun has entered a full rebuild around young players, and returning to winning ways will take some time.

Saniya Rivers is one of the young players around whom the Sun is building for the future. The eighth overall pick in the 2025 draft, Rivers has demonstrated potential as a 3-point shooter and as a versatile defender with a non-stop motor. But she found herself entangled in an unfortunate viral incident on Tuesday night, when the Sun hosted the Indiana Fever at TD Garden in Boston.

MORE: Is Caitlin Clark playing today? Latest news on Fever star's status for game vs. Liberty

During the third quarter of the Sun's eventual 85-77 defeat, a fan sitting courtside in a Caitlin Clark shirsey was ejected after exchanging words with Rivers. There even was speculation that the fan made physical contact with Rivers prior to his ejection.

@unbreakablecouple21 Watched as a fan who sat first row courtside at TD Garden was removed by Security and asked to leave for comments made to CT Sun’s Saniya Rivers. & we don’t play about our rook. Bye bye buddy. We always got your back @✨Niya✨ #wnba #wnbaisback #saniyarivers #indianafever #indianafeverbasketball #connecticutsunbasketball ##indianafevervsconnecticutsun ♬ original sound - Elissa & Sarah

After the game, Rivers was able to set the record straight. She told reporters that the fan made a comment that warranted his dismissal, but he did not touch her. And fortunately, the rookie was able to emerge from the incident in good spirits, joking that the fan "wasted all that money on a seat just to get tossed."

Despite Connecticut's 3-19 record, Rivers and the young players around her are doing their best to remain professional amidst trying circumstances.

MORE WNBA NEWS:

• How many points did Caitlin Clark score today? Full stats, results, highlights from Fever vs. Sun game

• Fever-Sun rivalry, explained: Inside Caitin Clark's beef with Jacy Sheldon & feuds between Indiana, Connecticut

• Sophie Cunningham's game-day glam turns TD Garden into a runway

• Wings add to lineup options with acquisition of Caitlin Clark's former teammate

• WNBA fans stunned by commissioner's pick for All-Star Game replacement