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Sunday marked the start of perhaps the most eagerly awaited postseason in WNBA history, and although all four top seeds won, the day was full of exciting events.

Some stars struggled, others thrived, and one managed to do both in the same game.

Here’s a recap of Game 1 of each first-round series in this season’s WNBA playoffs.

For most of their game against the Seattle Storm, it looked like the Las Vegas Aces were going to start their third straight win in the worst possible way.

At the end of the first quarter, Becky Hammon’s team trailed 18-9, with A’ja Wilson having made just one of her eight shots. By halftime, Las Vegas had cut Seattle’s lead to four thanks to 12 points from the outstanding Tiffany Hayes, but Wilson still struggled, scoring just four points.

After the break, however, Wilson recovered and returned to the form that had earned her the unanimous 2024 WNBA Most Valuable Player award earlier in the day, tying the three MVP awards already won by Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson.

Suddenly, the 28-year-old was at his best, scoring 15 points in the third quarter, including a crucial three-pointer, which helped the Aces cut Seattle’s lead to one point heading into the fourth quarter.

Then Las Vegas applied pressure, forcing the Storm to miss all 13 of their shots and score a measly two points in the game’s final 10 minutes. Kelsey Plum put the Aces ahead with 7:08 left, and the team held on, defeating Seattle 14-2. Wilson, who was quiet for most of the game, finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, the highest of the game.

“We just pulled ourselves together,” Wilson said afterward, according to the Seattle Times. “We understood the task and knew what was coming. We saw in the first half that it wasn’t going to be easy. This is the playoffs. This isn’t a regular season game.”

“They beat us up in the first half, but in the second half we just got it. We just clicked on defense, we have to work harder. There are no ifs and buts. That’s how we can strengthen our offense. We just started to focus more. We increased our physicality. (Coach) Becky (Hammon) yelled at us in the locker room. That woke us up, of course, and we just took it personally.”

Another victory for the Aces in Game 2 on Tuesday would put them in the semifinals and bring them one step closer to their third consecutive championship title – a feat only accomplished by the Houston Comets in the league’s first four years.

Alyssa Thomas of Sun scores triple-double and defeats Caitlin Clark and the Fever

With all the pregame attention and hype surrounding Caitlin Clark’s playoff debut, it was Alyssa Thomas who stole the spotlight during the Connecticut Sun’s 93-69 thrashing of the Indiana Fever.

The forward finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists for the 15th triple-double of her career and her fourth of the postseason. Thomas also recorded a triple-double against Indiana in the first game of this year’s regular season.

“We did what we were supposed to do. I’ve been waiting for the playoffs all season, that’s what you play for,” the five-time WNBA All-Star said, according to AP. “This is just the beginning for us, we’re ready to go.”

Marina Mabrey and DeWanna Bonner also stood out, with the former scoring more points than any other substitute in WNBA postseason history with 27 points.

Despite scoring 22 goals herself, Bonner had high praise for Thomas. “She puts us in the places we need to be in important moments,” she said, according to the AP. “The way she reads the game and surveys the field. … It’s an advantage to have a player who can pass the ball, direct the game, defend and play for literally 40 minutes. Our team can’t do without her.”

“We wouldn’t be in this situation every year. This is their time, every year.”

It was a postseason debut to forget for Clark, as the Fever suffered the heaviest playoff loss in franchise history. Clark, who was previously unanimously named AP WNBA Rookie of the Year, managed just 11 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals.

“We didn’t play well, not at the level we’re capable of,” Clark said, according to AP. “We didn’t throw the ball the way we can. We can win this game.”

In its first playoff appearance since 2016 – when the team was coached by current Connecticut head coach Stephanie White – Indiana started well, taking a 36-34 lead with 3:45 left in the first half.

But from there, the Sun asserted their quality, closing the half on a 12-2 run that put Bonner up 16 points at halftime. The Fever would never recover, and now Indiana must win Game 2 on Wednesday to keep its postseason hopes alive.

Leonie Fiebich and Napheesa Collier play the leading roles in “Liberty” and “Lynx”

Rookie Leonie Fiebich justified Liberty coach Sandy Brondello’s decision to put her in the starting lineup by scoring the game’s highest 21 points, helping New York to an 83-69 victory over the Atlanta Dream.

Brondello had benched guard Courtney Vandersloot in an effort to add more size to Liberty’s lineup and was pleased with the German’s impact.

“Leo played a great game. We’ve been bragging about her performances all season,” Brondello said, according to the New York Post. “It’s a no-brainer, but she’s always ready. Whether she’s in the starting lineup or coming off the bench, she’s always there.”

Fiebich’s contribution was, not surprisingly, complemented by Breanna Stewart – who scored 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks – and Sabrina Ionescu, who contributed 17 points.

Elsewhere, Napheesa Collier scored a whopping 38 points for the Minnesota Lynx in their 102-95 win over the Phoenix Mercury.

All eyes were on Diana Taurasi, who might be retiring, but it was Collier, who had just finished second in the MVP rankings behind Wilson, who stole the show with four assists and six rebounds, as well as her career-high point total.

Natasha Cloud led the Mercury with 33 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, while Taurasi added 21 points.

The first round of the series will be in a best-of-three format. Winners in bold.

Away @ Home (Game 1)

Atlanta Dreams 69-83 New York Freedom

Phoenix Mercury 95-102 Minnesota Lynx

Indiana Fever 69-93 Connecticut Sun

: Seattle Storm 67–78 Las Vegas Aces