UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT– Caitlin Clark’s postseason profession started right where her WNBA profession began: at the Mohegan Sun Arena, the home of the Connecticut Sun. 5 months after the Sun burnt out the Indiana Fever on opening night, they did so once again, other than this time the stakes were a lot greater.
The Sun opened the playoffs with a 93-69 win over the Fever, taking a 1-0 lead into the very first video game of the postseason, a best-of-three series versus among the most popular young groups in the league.
DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas were type in the very first half, however it was Marina Mabrey who blew things open– taking off for 27 points, 20 of which was available in the 2nd half. That sets a brand-new record most points by any bench gamer in WNBA postseason history, per ESPN.
Defensively, the Sun started with DiJonai Carrington on Clark, changed to Bonner in the 2nd quarter, and after that to Mabrey in the 3rd. Clark had a hard time in the postseason opener, ending up with simply 11 points on 4-17 shooting.
Especially, Sun guard Ty Harris left the video game in the very first quarter with an ankle sprain, and returned with crutches. Veronica Burton played increased minutes off the bench in her lack, including 8 points in 19 minutes on 3-4 shooting.
Pregame, Sun head coach Stephanie White applauded the Fever’s development considering that the last time the 2 groups satisfied, keeping in mind that everybody understood a turn-around was coming.
“The thing that’s made this Indiana group enjoyable to expect everyone is that they have fun with a lot pleasure, right?” White stated. “Like they’re young. They take pleasure in the video game, they have a good time together, and they do not take things too seriously.”
The Fever were led by Kelsey Mitchell (21 points), Aliyah Boston (17 points) and Domaris Dantas (12 points). A group that’s ended up being understood for their three-point shooting made simply 6 of 28 efforts.
Alyssa Thomas– the WNBA’s all-time triple-double leader– ended up with another, tape-recording a 13 help, 12 point, 10 rebound triple-double. It’s her 4th profession postseason triple-double. There have actually been just 2 others in WNBA history.
“I believe AT is constantly under-appreciated,” White stated pregame. “I understand that the numbers were extraordinary a year back, however I believe her flexibility, what she what she suggests to a group, and whether it’s our group, whether it was the nationwide group, and she was put in for protective factors, assisting in– simply anything that she’s asked to do. She does not appreciate the triple doubles, she does not appreciate the MVP ballot, she does not appreciate any of that things. She appreciates winning.”
The environment at the arena was undoubtedly energetic and appeared to prefer whichever group had the upper hand at the time. Early on, the crowd– swamped with fans putting on # 22 Caitlin Clark jerseys– blew up at Fever baskets, however by the time the Sun developed a double-digit lead,