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    • Caitlin Clark and Fever face elimination in Game 2
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    Caitlin Clark and Fever face elimination in Game 2

    Idris Bevan Posted on

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    Stephanie White had a warning for everyone after Game 1 of the Connecticut-Indiana WNBA playoff series.

    Alyssa Thomas is not normal, White said. And everyone needs to keep that in mind.

    “It’s crazy, right?” said White, the Sun’s coach. She smiled. “We almost take it for granted. I hope we remember not to do that. It’s not normal, guys, it’s just not normal to have that many triple-doubles.”

    White’s comments, of course, were in reference to Thomas’ fourth triple-double of the postseason, which the 11-year veteran recorded in Connecticut’s 93-69 Game 1 win on Sunday. Thomas finished with 12 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, just hours after learning she finished fifth in the 2024 MVP (or is that M’VP?) voting. The player directly ahead of her? Indiana star Caitlin Clark.

    So can Thomas do it again for Game 2 on Wednesday? That might be asking a bit too much. Thomas will surely be more focused on the fact that Connecticut has lost Game 2 of its first series the last two seasons despite being ranked higher. The Sun are determined not to do that this year. If the Fever force a decisive Game 3, it will be in Indianapolis, which has packed the stands better than any other city this season.

    Could Clark, who made just 4 of 17 shots in Game 1 but had plenty of good chances (her words), record her own triple-double? The rookie sensation is the only first-year player in league history to record a triple-double, and she did it twice during the regular season.

    In an elimination game with so many stars, anything seems possible.

    Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun

    The Fever will face the Sun for the second game of their best-of-three series at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. The Sun lead the series 1-0 and can advance to the semifinals with a win. If the Fever win, they will force a decisive third game in Indianapolis on Friday.

    How to watch Fever at Sun

    The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

    How to stream Fever at Sun

    The game can be streamed on Fubo. In addition to local TV markets, the Fever-Sun game will also be available on WNBA League Pass on-demand following its conclusion. Fans can obtain WNBA League Pass by downloading the WNBA app.

    UNCASVILLE, Connecticut – The Indiana Fever are making a change to their lineup in a crucial home matchup.

    Connecticut leads the first round of the best-of-three playoffs 1-0, and the Fever have decided to start Temi Fagbenle in place of NaLyssa Smith for Wednesday night’s second game. Smith is not known to have an injury; she practiced normally at the Fever’s shootaround on Wednesday morning and warmed up as usual before kickoff.

    Smith’s playing time has steadily declined in the second half of the season, although she has retained her spot in the starting lineup. In the final 10 games of the season, she has played about 20 minutes per game, while other starters have averaged over 30 minutes per game. In Game 1, Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in 2022, played just nine minutes, made 0-of-1 field shots and had one rebound. — Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star

    Sun starting lineup for Game 2

    Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun Postseason Schedule

    • Sunday, Game 1: Connecticut 93, Indiana 69
    • Wednesday, Game 2: Indiana vs. Connecticut (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
    • Friday, Game 3*: Connecticut vs. Indiana (to be announced, ESPN2)

    (* – If necessary; all times Eastern Time)

    WNBA postseason schedule

    First round

    Sunday, September 22nd:

    • Game 1: New York 83, Atlanta 69
    • Game 1: Connecticut 93, Indiana 69
    • Game 1: Minnesota 102, Phoenix 95
    • Game 1: Las Vegas 78, Seattle 67

    Tuesday, September 24th:

    • Game 2: New York 91, Atlanta 82, Liberty wins the series 2-0
    • Game 2: Las Vegas 83, Seattle 76, Aces win the series 2-0

    Wednesday, September 25

    • Game 2: Indiana at Connecticut (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
    • Game 2: Phoenix at Minnesota (9:30 p.m., ESPN)

    Friday, September 27

    • Game 3*: Connecticut at Indiana (TBD, ESPN 2)
    • Game 3*: Minnesota at Phoenix (TBD, ESPN 2)

    Semifinal

    Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty

    • Game 1, September 29: Las Vegas at New York (TBD)
    • Game 2, October 1: Las Vegas at New York (TBD)
    • Game 3, October 4: New York at Las Vegas (TBD)
    • Game 4*, Oct. 6: New York in Las Vegas (TBD)
    • Game 5*, Oct. 8: Las Vegas in New York (TBD)

    (* – If necessary; all times Eastern Time)

    Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun: USA TODAY reporters’ picks

    • Nancy Armor: Sun over fever in 2
    • Scooby Axe: Sun over fever in 2
    • Ellen J. Horrow:Sun over fever in 3
    • Jordan Mendoza:Sun over fever in 3
    • Lindsay Quick:Sun over fever in 2

    Read more forecasts and analysesHere.

    The WNBA continues to hand out superlatives, and Sun player DiJonai Carrington received the Most Improved Player award on Wednesday before Game 2. Carrington was drafted by the Sun in the second round of the 2021 WNBA Draft after completing her senior year at Baylor. She was able to increase her points, rebounds, steals and assists per game averages, while also proving to be a strong defender. Carrington received 28 of 67 first-place votes. Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby finished second (18 votes) and Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton third (15).

    UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Like Caitlin Clark, so is Indiana fever, and that was true during a remarkable regular season filled with rookie joy, uplifting accomplishments and unexpected triumphs.

    That was true Sunday afternoon, as the harsh reality of the WNBA postseason hit the Fever starting lineup, which had never played in the playoffs a second time before taking the court for Game 1 against the formidable and experienced Connecticut Sun. Read Christine Brennan’s full column here.

    Caitlin Clark is rewriting the WNBA record books. Again. And again.

    The Fever rookie made headlines all summer with her dazzling play. Check out her accomplishments in this graphic.

    How Caitlin Clark helped change Lexie Hull’s game

    Like most WNBA fans, Lexie Hull consumes a lot of Caitlin Clark content.

    Every time Clark breaks a record, says something interesting, or sneezes, for example, Hull is alerted.

    But when Hull, Clark and Katie Lou Samuelson traveled to Mexico with their friends (in Samuelson’s case, her husband) for a much-needed beach vacation during the WNBA’s Olympic break, Hull learned something new about Clark.

    The number 1 pick in the 2024 draft and the overwhelming favorite for Rookie of the Year is… funny.

    Even silly. A joker.

    “She loves to cause trouble, that’s for sure. If you need something to laugh about, she’ll do it for you,” Hull told USA TODAY Sports.

    Read full storyHere.

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    Idris Bevan
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