A valiant comeback effort from Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever fell just short as the Connecticut Sun earned the two-game first-round playoff sweep with an 87-81 home win on Wednesday evening.
Clark finished with 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds, while teammate Aliyah Boston had a 16-point, 19-rebound effort.
But the Sun’s balanced scoring attack proved too tough. All seven Sun players scored eight or more points, led by Alyssa Thomas’ 19-point, 13-rebound evening.
Connecticut led 63-52 early in the fourth quarter, but Indiana chipped away and eventually responded with a 12-3 run capped by a Boston layup to go up 75-73 with 2:41 left. That run also included this off-balance Clark three following an initial double team.
Sun forward DeWanna Bonner made a layup in response before Boston added another two-point bucket.
But Connecticut then went on a 12-2 run. Bonner made a three to put the Sun up for good after Boston’s bucket, and Marina Mabrey later hit a triple after Bonner stole a Kelsey Mitchell pass for a 81-77 edge.
The Sun iced the game with free throws.
And with that, Clark’s rookie season came to a close. The unanimous WNBA Rookie of the Year starred in her first professional campaign, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals. She led the league in three-pointers made and assists as well. The Fever also broke a seven-year streak of losing records and missed playoffs, going 20-20 (overcoming a 3-10 start) and getting the sixth seed.
Bright days are ahead for Clark, Boston and the Fever. In the meantime, fans recognized Clark’s exploits as her season came to an end.
As for the Sun, Connecticut has now made six straight WNBA semifinal rounds and awaits the winner of the Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury series. The New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces will play in the other semifinal.
Leave a Reply