UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Connecticut Solar aren’t any strangers to letdown video games. 4 occasions up to now two postseasons, the Solar have misplaced Sport 2 of a playoff sequence after successful the opener, together with twice on their dwelling court docket.
That’s why “urgency” was the buzzword as Connecticut appeared to shut out its first-round sequence in opposition to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Wednesday.
“Any time you’re a group that’s down, you’re determined, proper?” Solar coach Steph White mentioned pregame. “Your again is in opposition to the wall, and there’s a way of urgency, and we’ve got to fulfill that sense of urgency. We’ve obtained to be the group that units the tone.”
SIX STRAIGHT SEMI-FINALS FOR THE SUN 🙌
The Connecticut Solar defeat the Indiana Fever 87-81 in Spherical 1, Sport 2 of the #WNBAPlayoffs introduced by @google behind huge time performances from Alyssa Thomas and Marina Mabrey!
The Solar look to tackle the winner of the MIN/PHX sequence pic.twitter.com/blhs8ziPnQ
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2024
Connecticut could not have been the group that struck first, however the Solar recovered quickly sufficient in an 87-81 win over the Fever. With the victory, Connecticut advances to the WNBA semifinals for the sixth consecutive season to play the winner of the Minnesota–Phoenix sequence, whereas Indiana’s first journey to the postseason in eight years ends within the first spherical.
The Solar had a balanced assault, as seven gamers scored at the very least eight factors, however their star was as soon as once more Marina Mabrey. After scoring a bench report 27 factors in Sport 1, Mabrey was a spot starter for the injured Ty Harris however her rhythm wasn’t disrupted in any respect. The sixth-year guard had 17 factors and 6 assists, together with the dagger 3-pointer that put Connecticut up 4 with 47 seconds to play.
It didn’t seem the Solar would want such heroics down the stretch after constructing a double-digit fourth-quarter lead. However the Fever stayed shut with huge nights from their All-Star trio, even taking a one-point lead on a Clark triple with 4 minutes left.
Caitlin Clark connects from distance for her 2nd triple of the evening 🗣️#WNBAPlayoffs introduced by @google pic.twitter.com/cKAMtiCQow
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 25, 2024
However Mabrey responded with a 3 of her personal immediately, and when Indiana continued to reply by way of Aliyah Boston, it was the veteran DeWanna Bonner who had the large buckets to place Connecticut again forward.
Bonner, who tied Lindsay Whalen for essentially the most postseason video games in WNBA historical past by taking part in in her 82nd playoff sport Wednesday, had the poise down the stretch regardless of capturing simply 4 of 14.
For days, Indiana has been saying that the Solar knew what to do on this stage and whereas the Fever had been studying on the fly. That proved to be the case within the closeout as Connecticut executed within the remaining minutes and Indiana got here up simply quick.
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(Picture: Joe Buglewicz / Getty Photographs)
