Leïla Lacan’s speed and grit have helped the Connecticut Sun since her arrival to the team on July 2. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
BOSTON — Leïla Lacan’s arrival was delayed for over a year, but on Tuesday night in Boston, the Connecticut Sun’s newest addition proved that she is worth the wait.
Lacan scored a career high 19 points, and added three steals for good measure, and her speed and slashing style of play helped keep constant pressure on the Indiana Fever defense. Although the Sun would ultimately fall to the Fever 85-77, Lacan served notice that she is ready to make an impact for Connecticut.
“She’s adjusted tremendously,” said Connecticut star Tina Charles. “Like no other player that I’ve seen come to a team in the middle of the season. She’s been able to lock in with anything (coach) Rachid (Meziane) needs.”
Lacan was drafted by the Sun 10th overall in 2024, but obligations to the French National team delayed her WNBA debut. Since being drafted, she has won a silver medal with Team France in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and picked up a championship with her French club team, Basket Landes, in the Ligue Feminine de Basketball in her home country.
The final hurdle before she could join the Sun was the 2025 FIFA EuroBasket, where she averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, as France placed fourth in the tournament.
Lacan Has Had Immediate Impact on Sun
Since joining the Sun on July 2, she has quickly shown she can be a spark plug for the team on both ends of the court, averaging 9.8 points per game after her 19-point outburst on Tuesday along with 2.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game.
“She’s been doing this for a long time overseas and now you all are able to witness her greatness,” Charles said. “I know her future is bright in this league, and I’m very thankful and honored to be able to take the floor with her.”
Lacan said she feels like the Sun coaching staff and her teammates have helped her adjust quickly, and allowed her to play the style of play that suits her.
“The coaches and my teammates are helping me,” she said. “When I don’t understand something, they are always checking that I get it. So I think the support I get from everybody here helps me to understand things faster, what the staff is asking.’
Leila Lacan slashes through the Indiana Fever for a layup during the Connecticut Sun’s 85-77 loss at Boston’s TD Garden. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
Lacan’s Aggressive Style Suits the Sun
Both Charles and Meziane said the team is trying to get into a more aggressive mindset both offensively and defensively. Lacan’s three steals didn’t tell the whole story of her defensive impact on Tuesday night. She made life difficult for whichever Indiana guard she lined up across from, including Caitlin Clark, who was held to just seven points through the first three quarters, and didn’t make her first and only three pointer until there were under three minutes left in the game.
Her toughness on the defensive end helped set a tone that Meziane said he hopes to see continue after this week’s all-star break.
At the offensive end, it was Lacan’s quickness and aggressive takes to the basket that helped set the tone. She scored on several drives to the hoop, and even when she wasn’t scoring she had Indiana defenders on their heels, creating opportunities for her teammates.
“It’s what they ask me to do,” she said of her offensive aggression. “I am better to drive than shoot. So I try to help the team with my abilities.”
Lella Lacan Surveys the court during the Connecticut Suns vs. Indiana Fever game on July 15. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
Defense will Key Sun’s Continued Improvement
Those abilities have been a part of a change in mood among the team over the past couple weeks, as the Sun has been playing better as a team, and even picked up its third win of the season last week against Seattle, a game in which Lacan had eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
The team has to keep attacking defensively, and looking to score points off turnovers, according to Charles, skills that Lacan is well equipped to supply.
“We would love for that to be our identity, that our defense is what’s going to generate our offense for us,” Charles said. “To get out in transition, try to get easy baskets, not always have to set up. We definitely want to put that pressure on them. These last couple games we’ve been able to see that growth.”
With just five games under her belt with Connecticut, Lacan is only going to continue growing with the team, improving both in her chemistry with teammates and her confidence in the league.
