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The WNBA is coming to Boston. Here’s what to know about Tuesday’s Sun-Sparks game at TD Garden.
The game is set to be a sellout, which will be a franchise record for attendance.
The WNBA is coming to Boston.
The Connecticut Sun will play the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at TD Garden. It marks the first time the Sun will play a regular-season game there.
On Friday, the Sun announced the game was sold out, but verified resale tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com.
The 19,156 tickets sold marks the third highest attendance to a WNBA game this season, and the most tickets sold for a Sun game in the franchise’s history.
“We are thrilled with the reception from the Boston market for our game at TD Garden,” Sun president Jen Rizzotti said in a statement. “It’s truly special to make history by hosting the first ever professional women’s basketball game in this arena, known for its incredible basketball prowess and championship culture.
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“This is a tremendous opportunity to expose the Connecticut Sun brand by playing a game more centrally located to our New England fan base. Women’s sports are here to stay, and this is a wonderful celebration and confirmation of that fact.”
The Sun enter the weekend with the second-best record in the league at 18-6. DeWanna Bonner, a five-time All-Star, leads the team in scoring with 16.7 points per game. All-WNBA Alyssa Thomas, who won a gold medal with Team USA in Paris, is averaging 11.4 points and leads the team in both rebounds (9.2) and assists (7.6).
The Sparks are in fifth place in the Western Conference, entering the weekend with a 6-18 record. Dearica Hamby, who won a bronze medal with Team USA’s 3×3 squad in Paris, is averaging 19.2 points and 10 rebounds to lead Los Angeles in both categories.
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The Sun, along with Meet Boston, will be hosting festivities in the area beginning Saturday, including a youth sports festival, a Sun watch party, and a block party.
Here’s a guide to the events:
Connecticut Sun Youth Sports Festival
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: New Balance Track (91 Guest Street, Boston)
The festival will include 20-minute Sun Academy clinics throughout the day; showcases from other leagues such as the NWHL, PWHL, LGPA, and Swarm AAU Basketball; Science of Basketball STEM sessions powered by Microsoft; mental strength conditioning sessions sponsored by Daily Human; and an athlete wellness and conditioning session with Saysh, a sneaker company founded by Olympic sprinter Allyson Felix.
Youth athletes can participate in the activities by showing their previously purchased game ticket or by purchasing a ticket at the entrance to the festival. Admission without a ticket will be $10, cash only. Parents and family will be permitted to attend with no charge.
The following Sun Academy Power Hour advanced sessions are available for an additional registration fee:
10-11 a.m.: Ball handling and footwork
Noon-1 p.m.: Jab steps and finishing
2-3 p.m.: Shooting and competition
Watch party
When: Sunday, 2-5 p.m.
Where: Game On! Fenway (82 Lansdowne Street, Boston)
The Sun will host a watch party for the team’s 3 p.m. game at Atlanta against the Dream. There will be chances to win prizes, tickets, and ticket upgrades. Rizzotti, who won a national title as a guard for UConn’s 1995 squad that went 35-0, will be on hand.
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Block party
When: Tuesday, 3-7 p.m.
Where: Canal Street outside TD Garden
The block party will be open to the public and hosted in partnership with the City of Boston and Meet Boston, with live music, fan giveaways, and lots of activities for families leading up to the game, which tips off at 7 p.m. and will air on NBC Sports Boston.
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