BOSTON — The Boston Celtics’ season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers featured plenty of big-name attendees: former Celtics players Paul Pierce, Dana Barros, and Leon Powe; alpine ski star Lindsey Vonn, Patriots player Anfernee Jennings, and others.
But this time, a slew of Connecticut Sun youngsters were also in attendance, with forward Aaliyah Edwards and guard Saniya Rivers seated courtside (and mic’d up) for the match-up.
Rivers is fresh off her rookie campaign with the Sun, in which she established herself as one of the league’s elite defenders and two-way guards. Edwards, a second-year, midseason acquisition, came off the bench to bolster the team’s frontcourt depth. Both appear to be critical parts of Connecticut’s young core moving forward.
Both Rivers and Edwards told SB Nation they were thrilled to be in the house for the Celtics’ home opener, which the Celtics dropped 117-116 to the 76ers on a last-second play.
But for Rivers, the occasion was especially momentous, as Wednesday night marked her first time attending an NBA game.
“This is amazing,” she said before tip-off. “I’m blessed.”
Rivers might not have ever gotten to watch an NBA game in person, but she’s played in her fair share of NBA arenas. Most notably, she laced up at TD Garden herself when the Sun faced the Indiana Fever in July, in what’s become an annual Boston game.
And, the 22-year-old guard recalled the Sun’s sell-out game at TD Garden fondly.
“I was overstimulated,” she said with a smile. “When I was in South Carolina my freshman year, they held 10,000 people, so that was probably the most I’ve ever played in front of. Seeing that this arena was full when we played Indiana, it was crazy.”
That atmosphere game also left her feeling fulfilled about the future of women’s basketball.
“That’s the most important part — seeing that we’re expanding,” Rivers said. “So I think it was great for our league.”
In attendance with Rivers and Edwards was Sun general manager Morgan Tuck, who SB Nation sat down with earlier this week for an extensive interview earlier this week.
A homecoming (of sorts) for Aaliyah Edwards
For Aaliyah Edwards — who starred at the University of Connecticut for four years — it’s been fun to be back in the Northeast. After a standout career in Storrs, Edwards was drafted by the Washington Mystics in 2024, and her Connecticut chapter seemed behind her.
But, in August she was traded to the Sun in what became a full-circle moments.
“We were really excited that we got to get her, honestly,” said Sun general manager Morgan Tuck, who was also in attendance for Wednesday’s game. “I wish we could have gotten her a little bit earlier in the season, but glad that we got her before the deadline.
Edwards said that since arriving in Connecticut, tons of UConn fans have approached her at games to let her know how excited they were to see her back in New England.
“I didn’t think I’d be back playing Connecticut so soon,” Edwards said. “But I’m grateful to wear Connecticut across my chest again.”
But, unlike Rivers, Edwards wasn’t on the roster for the Sun-Fever match-up at TD Garden, as it took place before her midseason trade.
“I would love to be a part of this,” Edwards said of playing at TD Garden. “This atmosphere and this energy that they bring each and every night, it’s cool. Home opener for the NBA season — to support our brother team, it feels amazing.”
That chance could be coming.
Next season, the Sun are slated to once again play at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, and will presumably have another annual TD Garden game.
But after that, the future is uncertain. The franchise is up for sale, and though Boston is a potential destination, the WNBA has pushed back on the Mohegan Tribe selling the team to a Boston-based group led by former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca.
Hartford, Connecticut, and Houston, Texas, have both emerged as prospective relocation possibilities, with ownership groups in both cities hoping to secure the team. But nothing is set in stone as of yet, though Rivers said that Tuck has done a good job of updating the group on developing news.
It remains possible that Rivers and Edwards will eventually both regularly play at TD Garden.
But, on Wednesday, the pair of Sun standouts were simply thrilled to just be in the building, seated courtside for the Celtics’ opening game.
