WNBA Playoffs: Caitlin Clark and Fever aim to force decisive third game against star-studded Sun

The Connecticut Sun are just one win away from promotion to the WNBA semifinals 2024 when they host the Indiana Fever on Wednesday night.

The Sun, led by five-time WNBA All-Star Alyssa Thomas, put in a brilliant performance in the first game of their first round against the fever over the weekend and took the lead in the best-of-three series. The veteran forward recorded her fourth career triple-double in the playoffs, finishing the game with 12 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

She hopes to do the same on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. Caitlin Clark is trying to rebound in a must-win scenario. The WNBA Rookie of the Year kept a clean sheet in her playoff debut and finished with 11 points and eight assists in the 93-69 loss, while also missing 11 of her 13 3-point attempts.

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IN NUMBERS

Indiana Fever's No. 0 guard Kelsey Mitchell dribbles the ball during play against the Connecticut Sun in the first round of Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2024 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (esse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Fever secured a playoff spot for the first time since being eliminated in the first round after a loss to the Phoenix Mercury in 2016. Indiana has an 11-9 record against Eastern Conference opponents this season and is 3-3 in games decided by fewer than four points.

Connecticut reached its eighth consecutive playoff appearance with a record of 28-12 this season. The sun has a 14-6 record against conference opponents and averages 80.1 points per game.

CAITLIN CLARK DESPISES EYE INJURY AS CAUSE FOR BAD PLAYOFF GAME: “WE PLAYED A BAD GAME”

KEY PLAYERS

Indiana Fever defenseman Caitlin Clark (No. 22) drives to the basket against Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (No. 24) and Connecticut Sun forward Brionna Jones (No. 42) during the first round and Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs between Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun on September 22, 2024 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Clark has undoubtedly been a difference-maker for the Fever in her rookie year, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game. The former Iowa star broke the WNBA single-season record with 337 assists this year and became the new rookie season scoring average holder.

Veteran defender Kelsey Mitchell, who averages 19.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists, and center Aliyah Boston are also expected to play for the Fever on Wednesday night.

The fact that the Sun score an average of 6.5 points more per game than their opponents is also thanks to top scorers DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones, who average 15 and 13.7 points per game respectively.

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WHERE CAN I WATCH THE VIDEO?

The Sun host Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

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