Caitlin Clark’s WNBA playoff debut goes sideways as Fever get crushed by Sun

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Alyssa Thomas always raises her play in the postseason.

Thomas had her fourth career triple-double in the playoffs and 15th overall to spoil Caitlin Clark’s postseason debut as the Connecticut Sun beat the Indiana Fever 93-69 on Sunday in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.

Caitlin Clark (r.) of the Fever dribbles against the Sun’s Veronica Burton (l.) during Game 1 of their WNBA playoff series on Sept. 22, 2024.Mark Smith-Imagn Images
The Sun’s star finished with 12 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

“We did what we were supposed to do. I’ve been waiting all season for the playoffs, this is what you’re playing for,” said Thomas, who had a triple-double in the regular season opener this year, also against Indiana. “This is just the beginning for us, we’re ready to go.”

DeWanna Bonner, who finished with 22 points, has been there for all of Thomas’ postseason stat-sheet stuffing games.

“She gets us in places that we need to be during important times,” Bonner said. “The way she reads the game and sees the floor. … It’s an advantage to have a player that can pass the ball, direct the game, defend and literally play for 40 minutes. Our team doesn’t go without her.

“We wouldn’t be in this position each and every year. This is her time, every year.”

Marina Mabrey led the third-seeded Sun with 27 points, 20 of which came in the second half. Her 27 points are the most by a reserve in the playoffs, according to ESPN.

Caitlin Clark (l.) argues with a referee during the Fever’s Game 1 WNBA playoff loss to the Sun on Sept. 22, 2024.Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Game 2 is Wednesday night in Connecticut with a potential decisive third game in Indiana on Friday night, if necessary.

Clark, who earlier in the day was announced as the AP Rookie of the Year, finished with 11 points, recovering from a rough start. She also had eight assists. Kelsey Mitchell scored 21 points and Aliyah Boston added 17 points and 11 rebounds for Indiana.

“We didn’t play well, didn’t play to the level we’re capable of playing,” Clark said. “We didn’t shoot the ball like we’re capable of. We’re capable of winning this game.”

The Sun came into the contest with 222 playoff games under their belt while the Fever had just 19, including none among the starters.

This was Indiana’s first appearance in the playoffs since 2016. Connecticut head coach Stephanie White was in charge of the Fever that year.

Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Sun shoots against the Fever during Game 1 of their WNBA playoff series on Sept. 22, 2024.NBAE via Getty Images
The lack of experience didn’t seem to rattle the Fever early. It also probably helped that like most Fever road games this season, nearly half the crowd — many of whom were wearing Clark shirts — cheered on everything they did.

After a back-and-forth first 16 minutes, Indiana led 36-34 with 3:45 left in the first half. The Sun then took over, closing the opening 20 minutes on a 12-2 run.

Bonner had four points and an emphatic block of a Clark layup during the spurt. Bonner finished the opening 20 minutes with 16 points. Clark had a quiet first half with just three points, making one of her nine shots.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever reacts during the second half of a first-round WNBA playoff game against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 22, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut.Getty Images
She missed her first two shots of the third quarter before the Fever called timeout. Clark smacked the bench in frustration. That seemed to get her going as she made her next three shots to try and rally the Fever, but it wasn’t enough as Mabrey matched her shot for shot, scoring 11 points in the third. Clark finished finished 4 for 17.

The first half also had a bit of everything with a stoppage 48 seconds into the game for Indiana to challenge a foul called on the wrong player. They were successful. About 45 seconds later Clark was accidently poked in the right eye by DiJonai Carrington and was down for a bit before walking off the court. She was sporting a bit of a black eye postgame.

A few minutes later Tyasha Harris hurt her right leg while trying to defend a shot. She had to be helped off the court and later returned to the bench with that ankle heavily wrapped.

White had no update on Harris’ injury after the game.