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The matchup pits one of the league’s best defenses with one of its best offenses.
The Connecticut Sun are hoping to break through after coming tantalizingly close to winning a WNBA championship in recent years.
The Indiana Fever are looking to continue their surprising surge and make a deep playoff run ahead of schedule.
They’ll meet in the first round of the playoffs, starting with Game 1 on Sunday at 3 p.m. (ABC) in Uncasville, Conn. Game 2 is set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., also in Connecticut, and Game 3 (if necessary) will be Friday in Indianapolis.
Here are three story lines to follow as the No. 3 Sun (28-12) and No. 6 Fever (20-20) clash in what should be a compelling series:
Can the Sun get over the top?
The Sun lost in the Finals in 2019, the semifinals in 2020 and 2021, the Finals again in 2022, and the semis again last year.
They’re consistently one of the best teams in the league, and they have a 181-91 (.666) regular-season winning percentage since 2017.
While many teams rely on two or three premier scorers, the Sun are known for their depth and balance.
DeWanna Bonner (15 points per game), Marina Mabrey (14.9), Brionna Jones (13.7), DiJonai Carrington (12.7), Alyssa Thomas (10.6), and Tyasha Harris (10.6) form a dangerous top six. Thomas, who’s also averaging 8.4 points and 7.9 assists, is one of the league’s most complete players and is coming off a gold medal in France.
Former Newton South star Veronica Burton has seen action in 31 games this season and provides energy and hustle off the bench.
The Sun consistently excel defensively, and this year they’ve allowed the fewest points per game in the league at 73.6.
They’re more equipped for the task of defending Clark and her teammates than most, but it almost certainly won’t be easy.
Can the Sun contain Caitlin Clark and Co.?
While the Sun boast one of the league’s most overwhelming defenses, the Fever counter with one of the WNBA’ most overpowering offenses.
The Fever are third in points per game (85), first in field-goal percentage (45.6), and third in 3-point percentage (38).
After starting the season 9-14, with Clark getting a feel for the league, the Sun ripped off nine of their last 11 to enter the playoff picture before finishing at .500.
They’ve caught fire offensively in spurts lately, scoring 100 twice, 104 in early September, then 110 on Sunday against the Dallas Wings.
Clark has exceeded the hype, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. She led the league in assists per game and 3-pointers made, became the first rookie with a triple-double, and racked up the most points, assists, and 3s by a rookie ever, among other accolades.
The Sun, who took three of four from the Fever in the regular season, have allowed the fewest 3-pointers made in the league this year at 6.5.
Indiana will need 3-point efficiency out of Clark, but her ability to value the ball may be even more important. She’s turned it over 5.6 times per game this season, so valuing possession against an aggressive opponent that thrives off chaos will be imperative.
Kelsey Mitchell (19.2 PPG), Worcester Academy product Aliyah Boston (14 PPG, 8.9 rebounds per game), and NaLyssa Smith (10.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG) will be by her side.
The Fever are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and are eyeing their first championship since 2012.
Will it break WNBA attendance and viewership records?
As Clark keeps shattering records on the court, she continues to help grow the game from the standpoint of ticket sales and general exposure.
The cheapest ticket for Game 1 on Ticketmaster, as of 10:30 a.m. Saturday, is $112. According to TickPick, it costs more to attend Game 1 than it did to attend every 2023 WNBA Finals game combined.
FOX’s Michael Mulvihill shared that viewership for Clark’s games on all rated networks this season averaged 1.178 million viewers. All other games averaged 394,000 viewers.
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