Caitlin Clark faced a tough game as the Connecticut Sun dominated the Indiana Fever with a decisive 93-69 victory in Game 1 of the WNBA playoffs. The outcome sets up Game 2 of the best-of-3 series, scheduled for Wednesday night in Connecticut, with a potential Game 3 on Friday in Indianapolis.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 21 points, while Aliyah Boston contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds. Clark, struggling throughout the match, managed to score 11 points but faced difficulty shooting, ending with a combined 4-of-23 from beyond the arc alongside Mitchell. Off the bench, Damiris Dantas added 12 points.
For the Sun, Marina Mabrey was a standout with 27 points, and Alyssa Thomas achieved a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. DeWanna Bonner also made a significant impact with 22 points.
The Fever started strong with 20 points in the first quarter, but Connecticut tightened its defense, limiting Indiana’s scoring opportunities. The Fever’s shooting percentage was 40.3% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range.
In the opening quarter, Clark experienced a minor injury; she was poked in the eye but continued playing without missing any time. Her stats included 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting, complemented by 8 assists and 4 rebounds.
As the game progressed, Mabrey continued to shine, particularly in the second half, while Clark managed to score a few three-pointers as the Fever trailed 68-57 in the fourth quarter. The Sun maintained their lead, ultimately winning by a 24-point margin.
The Fever now look to rebound as they head into Game 2 against the Sun, aiming to level the series.