Indiana Fever Face Connecticut Sun in WNBA Playoff Clash

The Indiana Fever are set to make their long-awaited return to the WNBA playoffs, facing off against the third-seeded Connecticut Sun. The Fever, holding a regular-season record of 20-20, secured the sixth seed, while the Sun ended with an impressive 28-12, placing them in the third seed.

This playoff appearance marks the Indiana Fever’s first since 2016 when they exited in the first round. Their last playoff victory was in October 2015 during the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx, a series which they eventually lost 3-2. The Fever are eager for a postseason win, bolstered by top players Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, both averaging 19.2 points per game. Clark also contributes 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. Aliyah Boston, another key player, adds 14.0 points and 8.9 rebounds, while NaLyssa Smith provides 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds.

The Connecticut Sun enter the playoffs led by strong performers such as DeWanna Bonner, who averages 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. Marina Mabrey, with her sharp 42.4% three-point shooting, contributes 14.9 points, and Brionna Jones supports with 13.7 points and 5.5 rebounds. Alyssa Thomas presents a well-rounded threat with 10.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game.

In their four regular-season meetings, the Sun claimed victory in three games over the Fever, setting the stage for an intense postseason encounter. The two sides have previously met in the playoffs, with the Sun sweeping the Fever in 2005, but Indiana bouncing back to win series in 2007 and again in 2012, the latter leading to a championship title for the Fever.

In the season’s finale, Fever’s Caitlin Clark showcased her consistent performances, ending the regular season with averages of 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. Despite her impressive stats, the Fever narrowly lost to the Washington Mystics, with the game attended by a record-breaking crowd for a WNBA game of 20,711 at Capital One Arena.

The playoff series is a best-of-three format, with Game 1 scheduled at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. If necessary, a third contest will determine who progresses further in the quest for the WNBA championship.