The Indiana Fever are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Fever finished the regular season with a record of 20-20 and will be the sixth seed in the postseason. Their opponent is the third-seeded Connecticut Sun, a formidable foe that presents a tough challenge for the young Fever squad.
Indiana’s journey to the playoffs has been one of growth and resilience. The team has been led by the dynamic duo of Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, the first overall picks in the 2023 and 2024 WNBA Drafts respectively. Clark, the rookie point guard, has quickly established herself as a force, leading the WNBA in assists and ranking among the league's top scorers.
The Fever's success has been a testament to their collective effort. Kelsey Mitchell, the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft, has been a steady presence in the backcourt alongside Clark, forming a formidable scoring duo. Forward NaLyssa Smith has shown flashes of brilliance, while Lexie Hull has brought energy and defensive intensity to the team.
However, the Fever's first-round matchup against the Sun is a daunting task. The Sun have been a perennial playoff contender, boasting a strong defense and a balanced offense led by DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas. The Sun have been particularly impressive defensively, ranking as one of the best teams in the league.
The Fever and Sun have met four times during the regular season, with Connecticut winning the first three matchups. However, Indiana managed to secure a crucial victory in their final meeting, an 84-80 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Aug. 28. This victory provided the Fever with a much-needed boost of confidence heading into the playoffs.
Indiana and Connecticut have a rich history in the playoffs, having met three times previously, all in first-round series. The Sun swept the Fever in 2005, but Indiana emerged victorious in three-game series in both 2007 and 2012, the latter year marking the start of Indiana's run to their first WNBA championship.
The first-round series between the Fever and Sun will be a battle of contrasting styles. The Fever are a young, dynamic team with a penchant for offense, while the Sun are a more experienced, defensively-minded team with a proven track record of success. The series is set to be an intriguing clash, with the Fever hoping to pull off an upset and advance to the second round.
WNBA Playoffs: A Look at the Schedule
The first round of the WNBA Playoffs features a best-of-three format, with the higher seed hosting the first two games. If necessary, a decisive Game 3 would be played at the lower seed's home court.
The complete first-round schedule is as follows:
Game 1: Indiana at Connecticut | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 3:00 PM ET | ABC
Game 2: Indiana at Connecticut | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 7:30 PM ET | ESPN
Game 3 (If Necessary): Connecticut at Indiana | Friday, Sept. 27 | Time TBD | ESPN2
The Fever's journey to the playoffs has been a remarkable one. They've defied expectations and proven their ability to compete against the league's best. However, their first-round matchup against the Sun is a significant hurdle. Will the Fever's Cinderella run continue, or will the Sun's experience and defensive prowess prove too much to overcome?
