Clark, Fever Lacking Playoff Experience but Full of Hope vs. Sun

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Indiana Fever are stepping into the WNBA playoffs with a lot of significant milestones ahead of them.

This Sunday, they will face the Connecticut Sun in their first playoff game since 2016. Remarkably, it’s also the inaugural postseason appearance for every member of Indiana’s starting five, including standout rookie Caitlin Clark.

As the No. 6 seed, the Fever are embracing the youthful energy and lightheartedness that has propelled them to become one of the top teams in the league following the Olympic break. They hope this will help them achieve an upset against the No. 3 Sun.

“You can’t get too tight; that’s not going to let you play good basketball,” Clark stated on Saturday. “What’s helped us succeed in the second half of the season is the fun and energy we play with and a positive vibe. It’s great to see everyone embracing that mentality. But it’s also important to remember that this is the playoffs, and every single person on this team understands its significance.”

Teammate Aliyah Boston, another former No. 1 pick, echoed Clark’s sentiments. “The moment you tense up is when things could go wrong. For us, it’s about remaining who we are and having fun. Before every game, we remind each other to enjoy the moment and play together. We’ve scouted our opponents extensively and know our game plan, so it’s crucial we keep our composure as we approach this challenge.”

Among the eight playoff teams, Indiana has the least postseason experience, with only 19 games played by four players, while Connecticut boasts a combined 222 playoff games. This marks the fifth-largest gap in playoff experience in WNBA history.

While the Fever have endured a playoff drought for seven years—tying for the longest in league history—the Sun have made the postseason for eight consecutive seasons, reaching at least the semifinals in the last five years. However, Indiana is determined not to let their inexperience hinder them.

“I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing,” said Fever coach Christie Sides. “They don’t know what they don’t know. They’ll come out and play hard from the moment the game starts. I hope they just keep doing what they’ve done all season long.”

Clark added, “Perhaps it’s advantageous that they don’t feel overwhelmed by the moment. They can treat it like another game, prep the same way, and go out there to compete.”

During the regular season, the Sun won the series against the Fever 3-1. The first three matchups played out during Indiana’s opening 13 games, with Connecticut dominating by an average margin of 19 points at home. However, the last encounter on August 28 in Indianapolis saw the Fever seize a narrow 84-80 victory—their first win over the Sun since 2021.

Connecticut coach Stephanie White acknowledged Indiana’s evolution. “We knew they’d continue to improve,” she remarked about the Fever’s chemistry since May. “They’ve sharpened their reads, generating cleaner looks and open shots. Since the break, they’ve become tough shotmakers. Their core group has elevated their game, and so has everyone else. It’s like they’ve settled and are now excelling in their roles.”

Star guard Kelsey Mitchell will be ready for Sunday’s game after a minor injury scare during Indiana’s regular season finale against the Washington Mystics. Mitchell assured reporters that her early exit was precautionary, and she feels great heading into the playoffs.

The first round of the playoffs operates on a best-of-three format, ensuring two games will take place in Connecticut, with Game 2 set for Wednesday. Should the teams split the first two games, a decisive Game 3 will occur in Indianapolis on Friday.

“I feel excited,” expressed Clark. “You can sense our vibe; everyone is energized and ready to kick off the playoffs.”