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How Long is Saniya Rivers Out? Ankle Injury Updates, Return Timeline for Connecticut Sun Star
How Long is Saniya Rivers Out? Ankle Injury Updates, Return Timeline for Connecticut Sun Star originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
One of the bright spots this season for the Connecticut Sun may miss some action following a brutal-looking injury against the Minnesota Lynx on July 8.
Guard Saniya Rivers left Wednesday's game after sustaining an ankle sprain with about 7:16 remaining in the second quarter. She drove up to the basket for a layup before Nia Coffey blocked the shot, forcing Rivers to land awkwardly on her left foot.
Rivers was in pain following a play that forced one of her shoes to come off. She was wheeled to the locker room, not seen again for the rest of the night. The Sun would lose to the Lynx 86-80, and Cheryl Reeve became the WNBA’s all-time winningest head coach.
Here are the latest updates on Rivers' injury and her projected return date.
Saniya Rivers injury updates
On July 8, Rivers sustained an ankle sprain against the Lynx. It was recently announced she would be unavailable against the Golden State Valkyries on July 10.
Rivers sustained an ankle injury against the Chicago Sky on June 22. She wouldn’t return to action until July 2.
Saniya Rivers was helped off the court in a wheelchair after this play. pic.twitter.com/pNzTpFjUOC
— espnW (@espnW) July 9, 2026
Prior to the injury, Rivers, the No. 8 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, started 12 of 21 games for the Sun this season.
How long is Saniya Rivers out?
Outside of the July 10 game against the Valkyries, it’s unknown how long Rivers will be out.
If her previous injury is any indication, Rivers could be looking at a return against the Indiana Fever on July 22. She could also rest up and come back against the Washington Mystics on July 28, after the All-Star break.
All of this depends on the severity of the injury.
Saniya Rivers stats 2026
Prior to her injury, Rivers led the Sun in assists per game.
| Statistic | Value |
| Games Played / Started | 21 / 12 |
| Minutes Per Game | 22.7 |
| Points Per Game | 6.8 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 2.4 |
| Assists Per Game | 3.1 |
| Steals Per Game | 1.0 |
| Blocks Per Game | 0.7 |
| FG% | 34.4 |
| 3P% | 18.6 |
| FT% | 68.4 |
Connecticut Sun schedule 2026
Here is Connecticut's schedule for the rest of July:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| July 10 | vs. Valkyries | 7:30 p.m. |
| July 14 | vs. Fire | 11 a.m. |
| July 17 | at Mercury | 10 p.m. |
| July 19 | at Mercury | 7 p.m. |
| July 22 | at Fever | 8 p.m. |
| July 28 | at Mystics | 7:30 p.m. |
| July 30 | at Sky | 8 p.m. |
