WNBA playoffs: Caitlin Clark updates, highlights, evaluation as Fever face Solar in Recreation 2

WNBA playoffs: Caitlin Clark updates, highlights, evaluation as Fever face Solar in Recreation 2

The Indiana Fever’s first playoff sport since 2016 did not precisely go as deliberate.

Caitlin Clark and the remainder of her workforce struggled Sunday with their taking pictures and have been routed by a veteran Connecticut Solar squad in Recreation 1 of their best-of-three first-round collection.

Visiting Indiana is aware of the duty at hand in Wednesday’s Recreation 2 will not be simple, and acknowledges the immense benefit Connecticut has in postseason expertise.

From Yahoo Sports activities’ Cassandra Negley:

4 of the 5 Fever starters have fewer than three years of any WNBA expertise. All of them made deep March Insanity runs in faculty, however got here into the first-round collection with zero mixed video games of WNBA playoff expertise. That features seven-year veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell.

Caitlin Clark, who’s coming off back-to-back Last Fours, stated Tuesday the depth, stress and win-or-go-home state of affairs are just like faculty, however nonetheless completely different as a rookie on the professional degree.

“It is a studying course of for me, too,” Clark stated. “Clearly, that is my first playoff. It’s plenty of us on this workforce’s first playoff. We’re all sort of going by means of it on the similar level and studying. You do not at all times know what to anticipate, as a result of plenty of us have by no means been right here.”

UNCASVILLE, CT - SEPTEMBER 22: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) and Connecticut Sun forward Brionna Jones (42) during the First Round and game 1 of the 2024 WNBA playoffs between Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun on September 22, 2024, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)UNCASVILLE, CT - SEPTEMBER 22: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) and Connecticut Sun forward Brionna Jones (42) during the First Round and game 1 of the 2024 WNBA playoffs between Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun on September 22, 2024, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Solar grabbed a 93-69 win over Caitlin Clark and the Fever in Recreation 1 of the collection on Sunday. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire/Getty Pictures)

The Fever have an opportunity Wednesday evening to outlive and prolong Clark’s magical rookie season. However they must shoot higher, impose their will in transition and meet the Solar’s depth.

Stay20 updates

  • 1Q: Solar 17, Fever 14

    Neither workforce is taking pictures the ball effectively (each are 5-20). Connecticut’s protection is getting the job finished early; Fever have not made a bucket for the reason that 4-minute mark when Clark hit her second 3.

  • Indy challenged that foul name on Mitchell. For the second consecutive sport (each occasions within the first quarter), it was as a result of the refs known as the foul on the improper participant. Lexie Hull is charged with the foul, DeWanna Bonner shoots and makes two to offer the Solar a 15-14 lead.

  • Not even out of the primary quarter and Aliyah Boston is in foul bother with two. That is going to harm. Smith is available in for her. Inside a minute, Kelsey Mitchell is known as for her second. At this level, the variety of gamers who HAVEN’T chatted with the refs about officiating is sort of low.

  • Christie Sides was in a full convo with the ref on the Fever bench after DiJonai Carrington pokes the ball from Clark within the backcourt. Clark came visiting to talk. Carrington came visiting afterward.

  • 1Q 4:51 | Fever 10, Solar 4

    A a lot better begin for the Fever. Clark has a fast three factors, 4 rebounds and three assists. Aliyah Boston is placing in work on Bri Jones within the paint with 4 rebounds and Fagbenle has three. Solar are 1-11 from the sphere to start out.

  • Some fireworks between DeWanna Bonner and Caitlin Clark early. Clark was calling for a foul on a deep 3 level try.

  • Caitlin Clark hits her first shot — a 3-pointer — at 9:33 of the primary quarter.

  • oh, OK, Caitlin Clark is beginning this one with a 3. Traditional Caitlin unlocked?

  • Either side spoke of urgency. Indiana is taking part in to increase its season. The Solar do not wish to take this to Indianapolis for 2 causes. First, that place goes to be ROCKING for a Recreation 3. And if the Solar wrap this up tonight, they’re going to have just a few extra relaxation days earlier than the semifinals start on Sunday. If No. 2 seed Minnesota wins its collection towards Phoenix, Connecticut will begin on the street.

  • Recreation 2 is about to tip off right here at Mohegan Solar Enviornment in Connecticut. Two main lineup adjustments:

    Fever: Temi Fagbenle is in for NaLyssa Smith. Smith performed 8:53 in Recreation 1 and did not rating (one try). Fagbenle additionally didn’t rating in 12:57 of motion, however is without doubt one of the few Fever gamers with playoff expertise and is a good operating mate with Clark in transition. It is her third begin of the season.

    Solar: Head coach Stephanie White stated pre-game Ty Harris wouldn’t have the ability to go after injuring her leg in Recreation 1. Marina Mabrey is getting the beginning. It is her fourth with Connecticut after the midseason commerce.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *