Marina Mabrey hit a crucial 3-pointer in the final minute, sealing a victory for the Connecticut Sun over the Indiana Fever with an 87-81 score in their playoff series.
Alyssa Thomas led the Sun with 19 points and 13 assists, helping to secure the team’s first round playoff sweep at home, something they had not accomplished since the WNBA modified its playoff format in 2022. “Finally locked in and took advantage of home-court advantage,” said Thomas, who previously achieved a triple-double in Game 1. “We’re hungry and ready for what the playoff journey is going to unfold.”
The third-seeded Sun are set to face the Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals starting Sunday. Thomas recorded a total of 26 assists across the two-game series, tying the record for most assists in a two-game postseason span.
Caitlin Clark of the Fever showed notable improvement in Game 2, finishing with 25 points and nine assists, though it was not enough to pull off a win. “Obviously it’s a tough one, especially as we climbed all the way back in and just had our opportunities late,” Clark remarked.
Aliyah Boston contributed with 16 points and 19 rebounds for Indiana. Her layup with just over two minutes remaining put the Fever ahead 77-75, but DeWanna Bonner quickly responded with a 3-pointer for the Sun. Mabrey’s 3-pointer from the wing with less than a minute remaining gave Connecticut an 81-77 lead.
The Fever had initially trailed by seven at halftime but rallied to tie the score early in the third quarter. However, Thomas ignited a 14-4 run to regain control for the Sun by scoring 10 points in that stretch. With this win, the Sun clinched their sixth consecutive appearance in the semifinals, tying the second-longest streak in WNBA history.
Clark’s late 3-pointer briefly gave the Fever a 71-70 lead, but the Sun quickly reclaimed the lead and maintained it to secure the victory. Indiana started strong, jumping to a 14-6 lead before the Sun responded with an 11-point run to end the first quarter in the lead.
The Sun were without starting guard Tyasha Harris due to an ankle injury sustained in the previous game, with Mabrey stepping in as her replacement.