Caitlin Clark, Fever Struggle in Loss to Sun in WNBA Playoffs

A remarkable performance from Marina Mabrey in her postseason debut led the Connecticut Sun to a convincing 93-69 victory against the Indiana Fever in Game 1 of the WNBA quarterfinals. Mabrey, playing as a bench player, scored 27 points, setting a new WNBA playoff record. She made 9 of her 20 field goal attempts, including 5 of 12 from beyond the arc. However, Mabrey was not the only standout, as Sun guard/forward Alyssa Thomas recorded her fourth career triple-double in the playoffs, finishing with 12 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds.

For the Fever, Caitlin Clark struggled, managing just 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting, including a disappointing 2-of-13 from three-point range. Despite her struggle, she contributed eight assists and only turned the ball over twice. Kelsey Mitchell topped Indiana’s score chart with 21 points, while Aliyah Boston added 17 points and 11 rebounds. DeWanna Bonner played a key role for the Sun, scoring 22 points while helping limit Indiana to just 21.4% shooting from three-point territory (6-of-28).

The Sun’s bench outscored Indiana’s reserves significantly, with a contribution of 41 points compared to Indiana’s mere 15. The teams will meet again for Game 2 on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., which will be aired on ESPN.

Before the game, Caitlin Clark expressed her displeasure with her past performances at Mohegan Sun Arena, revealing that she felt the game was “crappy.” She acknowledged that while the game clock malfunctioned at times, which created disruptions, the team also struggled with their flow and defense.

Clark remains optimistic, stating her confidence in the team’s ability to improve for the upcoming match. The Sun were able to contain Clark effectively, as DeWanna Bonner, who defended her closely, limited Clark to just 2-of-9 shooting when guarded by her.

Reflecting on Alyssa Thomas’ exceptional performance, Bonner remarked on her teammate’s ability to control the game and get everyone involved, explaining that Thomas always knows where to set her teammates up. She noted that in the playoffs, they expect nothing less than incredible performances from Thomas, who has consistently delivered in high-pressure situations.

Marina Mabrey also praised Thomas, indicating that the forward always has her back on the court, particularly when Mabrey gets hot from beyond the arc. Thomas showcased her all-around game yet again, recording 12 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds in Sunday’s matchup.

In other highlights from the game, Caitlin Clark was seen nursing a black eye after taking an inadvertent shot to the eye early in the first quarter. Despite her rough start, she did manage to find her rhythm later on, hitting two three-pointers. Nevertheless, the experienced Connecticut team maintained their lead throughout.

The disparity in playoff experience was notably evident during the game. The Connecticut Sun has played 222 playoff games in franchise history, while the Fever have participated in just 19. The Sun built a lead during the game, partially thanks to Mabrey’s impressive third-quarter performance, scoring 11 points in that stretch.

Unfortunately for the Sun, Ty Harris, a key player who had been performing well, injured her ankle midway through the first quarter. She was helped off the court and later seen on crutches, meaning her absence could affect the team’s dynamics in the upcoming games.

All in all, it was a challenging start for the Fever, but they remain hopeful for redemption in Game 2. With Caitlin Clark determined to bounce back, the Fever will seek to increase their offensive efficiency and tighten their defensive strategies against the formidable Sun. As the playoffs progress, teams will look for adjustments to secure a spot in the next round.

Source: USA TODAY