Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley has spent much of her career fighting her way back from adversity. On Sunday, the veteran guard faced another cruel twist: she tore the meniscus in her right knee during practice, an injury that will keep her out for the rest of the 2025 season.
The announcement hit the Sun hard. Hartley had been carving out a valuable role in the team’s rotation, providing steady minutes and veteran leadership. Her absence adds to a troubling league-wide storyline — a growing epidemic of sidelined guards that has reshaped the WNBA season.
Hartley’s setback: “She gave everything”
At 32, Hartley has endured more than her share of injuries, but this one stung both for her and for her team.
“Bria gave everything to this group,” Sun head coach Stephanie White said. “Her work ethic, her energy, her ability to steady us in tough stretches — those things don’t always show up in a box score. To lose her now, when we’re pushing toward the playoffs, hurts deeply.”
Hartley herself kept her reaction simple: “I’ve been through challenges before. I’ll get through this too. Thank you to our fans for standing with me.”
A growing list of injured guards
Hartley is far from the only one. In what has become one of the season’s defining themes, guards across the league have been sidelined with long-term injuries:
- Indiana Fever: Aari McDonald, Sophie Cunningham, and Sydney Colson have all been shut down.
- Dallas Wings: JJ Quinerly and Ty Harris are out for the year.
- Chicago Sky: Courtney Vandersloot, one of the league’s best floor generals, is sidelined.
- Golden State Valkyries: Kayla Thornton, a defensive anchor, is missing.
And even rising stars have felt the toll. Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick and one of the WNBA’s biggest attractions, has played in just 13 games because of quad and groin issues.
Former guard Renee Montgomery, now an analyst, called it a pattern: “You can’t ignore what’s happening. Guards are carrying enormous responsibility, and their bodies are paying the price.”
Why guards are most vulnerable
The guard position is relentless. Guards sprint through screens, chase shooters, absorb contact at the rim, and are asked to initiate offense nearly every possession. Add in the WNBA’s demanding schedule, and the risks compound.
Several factors stand out:
- Condensed calendar: Even with charter flights now standard, the 40-game season forces quick turnarounds and heavy travel.
- Previous injuries: Veterans like Hartley have histories of knee surgeries, which raise reinjury risks.
- Heavy workloads: With small rosters, guards often play extended minutes with limited rest.
Sports medicine expert Dr. Carla Reynolds summed it up: “Guards log the highest mileage per game and often do it at top speed. Without enough recovery time, the risk of injury climbs fast.”
How teams are coping
For Connecticut, losing Hartley shrinks their backcourt depth just as playoff pressure builds. Younger players will need to step into larger roles, while veterans like Alyssa Thomas will shoulder even more responsibility.
The Indiana Fever have perhaps been hit hardest. With three guards lost, they turned to free agency and signed veteran Odyssey Sims to stabilize their rotation. “You can’t replace chemistry overnight,” GM Lin Dunn said, “but Odyssey gives us toughness and leadership.”
In Dallas, the Wings have adjusted by running more of the offense through Arike Ogunbowale, but that has stretched her workload in ways the team hoped to avoid. Coaches across the league are being forced to experiment, shuffle rotations, and trust untested players in critical minutes.
League-wide concerns
The rash of injuries has sparked a larger conversation about player safety. Should the WNBA consider extending the season to reduce game density? Would bigger rosters help teams manage workloads more effectively?
Player leaders are voicing concern. Former union president Nneka Ogwumike didn’t hold back: “We can’t keep calling this bad luck. If we want our game to keep growing, we have to protect the players driving it.”
League officials have yet to announce any changes, but the dialogue is gaining urgency as more names join the injured list.
Fans caught in the middle
The WNBA’s popularity has soared in 2025. Crowds are bigger than ever, television audiences continue to climb, and merchandise is flying off shelves. Yet fans are also grappling with disappointment when their favorite guards aren’t on the floor.
“I bought tickets for Caitlin Clark in Chicago,” said fan Dana Rogers. “She didn’t play, and it was tough. I still love the team, but you want to see the stars you came for.”
At the same time, the injuries have opened doors for new storylines. Role players have risen to the moment, rookies have gained valuable experience, and coaches are showcasing creativity with shuffled lineups.
What comes next
For now, the Sun must push ahead without Hartley, just as Indiana, Dallas, and others have adjusted without their guards. The question hanging over the league is whether this wave of injuries will be treated as an anomaly — or as a call for systemic change.
Hartley, at least, is not giving up. “I’ve been here before,” she said. “And I’ve always come back stronger.”
Her words echo the resilience of so many guards sidelined this year. While injuries have shaken the league, they haven’t broken its spirit.
Conclusion
The 2025 WNBA season has brought record highs in attention and growth, but it has also been marked by gut-wrenching lows. Bria Hartley’s meniscus tear is the latest in a string of guard injuries that have altered playoff races, reshaped rotations, and raised pressing questions about the league’s future.
Injuries are part of sports, but when a single position suffers this much, it can’t be brushed aside. How the WNBA responds will shape not only the outcome of this season but the long-term health of the league and its stars.
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