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WNBA Playoffs: Updates, highlights and analysis from Caitlin Clark ahead of Game 2 between Fever and Sun

WNBA Playoffs: Updates, highlights and analysis from Caitlin Clark ahead of Game 2 between Fever and Sun
Posted on | Posted on angela

The Indiana Fever’s first playoff game since 2016 did not go quite according to plan.

Caitlin Clark and the rest of her team struggled with shooting on Sunday, falling to an experienced Connecticut Sun team in the first game of their best-of-three first-round series.

Anyone visiting Indiana knows that Wednesday's second game will be no easy task and is aware of the immense advantage Connecticut has due to its postseason experience.

From Cassandra Negley of Yahoo Sports:

Four of the Fever's five starters have less than three years of WNBA experience. All of them went deep in March Madness in college, but entered the first round with zero WNBA playoff experience overall. That includes seven-year veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell.

Caitlin Clark, who just made it to two consecutive Final Fours, said Tuesday that the intensity, pressure and all-or-nothing situation are similar to those in college, but still different as a rookie at the pro level.

“It's a learning process for me too,” Clark said. “This is obviously my first playoff. For many of us, it's the first playoff for this team. We're all kind of in it at the same time and learning. You don't always know what to expect because many of us have never been here before.”

UNCASVILLE, CT – SEPTEMBER 22: Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark (22) battles to the basket against Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) and Connecticut Sun forward Brionna Jones (42) during the first round and game one of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs between Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 22, 2024 in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)UNCASVILLE, CT – SEPTEMBER 22: Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark (22) battles to the basket against Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) and Connecticut Sun forward Brionna Jones (42) during the first round and game one of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs between Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 22, 2024 in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Sun picked up a 93-69 win over Caitlin Clark and the Fever in the first game of the series on Sunday. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images)

The Fever have a chance to survive and extend Clark's magical rookie season on Wednesday night, but they need to shoot better, impose their will in transition and match the Sun's intensity.

Live14 updates

  • Christie Sides was chatting with the referee on the Fever bench after DiJonai Carrington knocked the ball away from Clark in the backcourt. Clark came over to chat. Carrington followed.

  • 1Q 4:51 | Fever 10, Sun 4

    A much better start for the Fever. Clark quickly has three points, four rebounds and three assists. Aliyah Boston troubles Bri Jones in the box with four rebounds and Fagbenle has three. Sun starts off 1-11 field shots.

  • There was some fireworks at the beginning between DeWanna Bonner and Caitlin Clark. Clark called a foul on a deep 3-point attempt.

  • Caitlin Clark makes her first shot – a 3-pointer – at 9:33 in the first quarter.

  • oh, ok, Caitlin Clark starts this one with a 3. Classic Caitlin unlocked?

  • Both sides spoke of urgency. Indiana is playing to extend its season. The Sun don't want to bring that to Indianapolis for two reasons. First, a third game will ROCK there. And if the Sun can get that done tonight, they'll have a few days of rest before the semifinals begin on Sunday. If Minnesota, the No. 2 seed, wins its series against Phoenix, Connecticut will play on the road.

  • Game 2 begins right here at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Two big changes to the lineup:

    Fever: Temi Fagbenle is filling in for NaLyssa Smith. Smith played 8:53 in Game 1 and did not score (one attempt). Fagbenle also did not score in 12:57 but is one of the few Fever players with playoff experience and a great running mate for Clark in transition. This is her third start of the season.

    Sun: Head coach Stephanie White said before the game that Ty Harris would not be able to play because she suffered a leg injury in Game 1. Marina Mabrey will start. It will be her fourth game with Connecticut after transferring midseason.

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