​In UNCASVILLE, Conn. on Wednesday, July 8, Saniya Rivers, a guard for the Connecticut Sun, left the court in a wheelchair after a collision with Nia Coffey during a layup attempt. The incident occurred with 7:16 remaining in the second quarter when Coffey blocked Rivers’ attempt from about three feet away, and it appeared that Rivers was struck in the face as the play concluded. In the aftermath, Rivers’ left shoe came off as she lay on the floor, surrounded by teammates who held up towels while the medical staff evaluated her.
Rivers remained on the court for several minutes as trainers were summoned and a wheelchair was brought onto the floor. After receiving initial care, she was placed in the wheelchair and wheeled off to the locker room. At the time she exited, Rivers had accumulated five points, one rebound, two assists, two steals, and a block in the game.
Drafted No. 8 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft out of NC State, Rivers has quickly become a fan favorite for the Sun. Through this season, she has been averaging 6.9 points and 3.2 assists per game in roughly 23 minutes of action. The Sun have relied on her developing game, and her absence will be noted as the team continues its campaign.
This report reflects the situation as it unfolded during the game, and is part of ongoing coverage of Rivers’ health and the team’s status. For more, keep an eye on updates from game broadcasts and official team communications.