Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever to Face Connecticut Sun in First Round of 2024 WNBA Playoffs
It’s confirmed: Caitlin Clark along with the Indiana Fever will compete against the Connecticut Sun in the upcoming 2024 WNBA playoffs.
The Sun, considered a strong contender for the WNBA championship from the start, secured the third seed after a dominant win over the Chicago Sky, winning 85-54, in their final regular-season game on Thursday.
This marks the Fever’s first playoff appearance since 2016, thanks largely to Caitlin Clark, who is a frontrunner for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year title.
Indiana features seasoned veteran Kelsey Mitchell, currently in her seventh season in the league, but none of the Fever’s starting players have prior playoff experience. In contrast, the Sun’s core group has extensive postseason experience, having made several deep runs, including reaching the 2022 Finals where they fell to the Las Vegas Aces in four games. Earlier this season, the Sun acquired guard Marina Mabrey, a talented perimeter shooter, aiming to enhance their chances for a title.
Understanding the WNBA Playoff Format
The WNBA playoff structure pits the sixth seed against the third seed in the initial round. All matchups in the first round consist of a best-of-three series, where the higher-seeded team’s venue hosts the first two games, and if needed, Game 3 takes place at the lower-seeded team’s location.
This format implies that lower-seeded teams might not experience significant financial benefits from hosting playoff games; however, if they can secure an away victory, the higher-seeded team must then contend in a challenging Game 3 on the road.
Thus, the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever (20-20) will clash with the No. 3 seed Connecticut Sun (28-12).
Indiana vs. Connecticut Playoff Schedule
➤ Game 1: Sunday, Sept. 22 at Connecticut, 3 p.m. ET on ABC
➤ Game 2: Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
➤ Game 3 (if needed): Friday, Sept. 27 at Indiana, time TBA, on ESPN2
Caitlin Clark vs. Connecticut Sun This Season
Throughout this season, the Sun and Fever have gone head-to-head four times, with Connecticut winning three of those encounters. Here’s how Clark performed in each matchup:
∎ May 14: Connecticut 92, Indiana 71
- Clark’s Stats: 20 points (5-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-11 from 3), 3 assists, 2 steals, 10 turnovers
∎ May 20: Connecticut 88, Indiana 84
- Clark’s Stats: 17 points (5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-7 from 3), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers
∎ June 10: Connecticut 89, Indiana 72
- Clark’s Stats: 10 points (3-of-8 shooting, including 2-of-5 from 3), 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers
∎ Aug. 28: Indiana 84, Connecticut 80
- Clark’s Stats: 19 points (7-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-12 from 3), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 7 turnovers
Notably, Indiana’s single victory against Connecticut this season occurred after the Olympic break, a period that has significantly benefited both Clark and the Fever. Since play resumed in August, Indiana has performed impressively with a 9-4 record — the only team they did not defeat this season was Las Vegas.
Caitlin Clark vs. DiJonai Carrington
In the playoffs, as throughout the regular season, Clark is likely to be closely guarded by DiJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun, known for her stellar perimeter defense. Standing at 5-foot-11, Carrington excels at athleticism — a trait evident in her family, as her brother played in the NFL for eight seasons. With quick footwork and a long reach, she relishes physical play. This season, a rivalry of sorts has developed between her and Clark, occasionally prompting Carrington to express her frustrations to officials regarding Clark’s complaints about foul calls.
Regardless of their rivalry, it’s evident Carrington effectively knows how to defend Clark. In their four matchups, Clark has only managed to shoot 39% (20-of-51) against the Sun, including a mere 34% (12-of-35) from beyond the arc. While Carrington downplays the significance of their individual matchups, she clearly takes pride in her ability to disrupt her assignments and force them into mistakes or hurried shots.
The Sun boast the league’s top defensive rating and possess several players with extensive reach who can pressure Clark and the other guards for Indiana. If Carrington isn’t on Clark, she might be covered by either DeWanna Bonner or Alyssa Thomas, both seasoned players who also excel at making life difficult for opposing guards.
In summary, Indiana has been performing remarkably well since the Olympic break, particularly with enhanced contributions from guards Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull. However, the Fever face a significant challenge ahead.
credit to Lindsay Schnell ,follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell