(This story has been updated with more information and a photo)
Caitlin Clark gets her eye poked (literally) and the Indiana Fever get a smack in the face (figuratively). The Connecticut Sun impose their will and win the first WNBA playoff game 93-69.
Game 2 of the best-of-3 series will take place on Wednesday night in Connecticut. Game 3, if necessary, will take place on Friday in Indianapolis.
Kelsey Mitchell scored 21 points and Aliyah Boston added 17 with 11 rebounds for the Fever. Cailtin Clark had 11 despite struggling on the court. Mitchell and Clark combined to make 4 of 23 three-pointers. Damiris Dontas scored 12 off the bench.
Marina Mabrey comes off the bench for Connecticut to score 27 points, and Alyssa Thomas has a triple-double (13 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds). DeWanna Bonner scores 22 points.
The Fever scored 20 points in the first quarter, but Connecticut’s defense became increasingly stingy as the quarter went on. Indiana made 40.3% of its shots from the field and 21.4% of its 3-pointers.
Caitlin Clark’s WNBA playoff stats
Clark was pushed down the right side by Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington in the first quarter but missed no playing time. She scored 11 points (4 of 17 shooting, 2 of 13 3-pointers, 1 of 2 free throws), 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 turnovers.
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Immediate impact: Where Caitlin Clark will land in the WNBA MVP vote
Hardware is coming!: Clark was named AP Rookie of the Year and All-WNBA first team
5:43 left 4Q: Marina Mabrey had a red-hot second half with five 3-pointers and 27 points in the game. Alyssa Thomas had a triple-double. Sun 81, fever 60
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark gets a black eye after being hit in the eye in the first quarter.
Sun 68, fever 57
Caitlin Clark, who was frigid for most of the game, made a couple of 3-pointers and scored 11 points. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 16 points and Aliyah Boston had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Marina Mabrey is on a roll with 18 points, tying DeWanna Bonner for the Sun lead. Alyssa Thomas has 12 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.
Connecticut extends its lead to 15 points towards the end of the quarter.
7:07 left 3Q: Fever calls a timeout after DeWanna Bonner scores again. Kelsey Mitchell leads Indiana with 14 while Caitlin Clark continues to go cold (1 of 11 from the field). Sun 52, fever 43
The Fever briefly took a 36-34 lead before the Sun scored nine goals in a row late in the quarter to give themselves some breathing room.
Kelsey Mitchell had 11 points and Damiris Dontas had 10 for the Fever, who made 3 of 14 three-point shots. Caitlin Clark had 3 points on 1 of 9 shooting.
DeWanna Bonner has 16 points and Alyssa Thomas 12 with 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Connecticut.
5:31 left in 2nd quarter: Damiris Dantis has 8 points off the Indiana bench and Kelsey Mitchell has 7. Alyssa Thomas has 12 for the Sun. Sun 32, fever 30
Tyasha Harris of Connecticut is out for the rest of the game.
Aliyah Boston has 6 points while Kelsey Mitchell has 5. DeWanna Bonner has 10 for the Sun while Alyssa Thomas has 6 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Sun 23, fever 20
6:16 left 1Q: The Heritage Christian High School graduate took an awkward fall after defending Lexie Hull on a three-point shot. She is slowly led to the locker room. Hull gets 2 free throws. Sun 10, Fever 9
8:27 left 1Q: Caitlin Clark is briefly on the ground after DiJonai Carrington pushes her while defending a pass. Sun 5, Fever 2
Fever: Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Aliyah Boston, NaLyssa Smith
Sun: DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Tyasha Harris, Brionna Jones, DiJonai Carrington.
Caitlin Clark talks about participating in the WNBA playoffs
When do the Indiana Fever play?
3:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
What channel does Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun air on?
TV: ABC
Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
WNBA Playoff Schedule for Fever vs. Sun
Game 1: 3:00 p.m. ET Sunday, September 22, 2024, in Connecticut
Game 2: 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, September 25, 2024, in Connecticut
Game 3: TBA Friday, September 27, 2024, in Indiana, if necessary
Caitlin Clark’s stats with the Indiana Fever
19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game, plus 34.3% 3-point shots and 90.5% free throws
Indiana Fever Stats Leader
Kelsey Mitchell (19.2 points, 40.2% 3-point shooting); Caitlin Clark (19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 34.3% 3-point shooting, 90.5% free throw shooting); Aliyah Boston (14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds); NaLyssa Smith (10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds)
This is all new for almost all Fever players.
Indiana Fever Playoff Tickets
The Indiana Fever have released details on playoff tickets here.
Get Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever jerseys and gear
Find Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark jerseys, shirts, sweatshirts and hats from Fanatics here.
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