Caitlin Clark's maiden playoff run kicks off on Sunday, with the Indiana Fever scheduled to cross swords against the Connecticut Sun in Game 1 of the best-of-three series. The Fever finished the regular season with a 20-20 record and secured the sixth position in the standings. Indiana is making its first playoff appearance in eight years.
Meanwhile, Connecticut finished as the third-best team with a 28-12 record. The two teams battled against each other four times in the regular season, with the Sun winning thrice.
Indiana and Connecticut have faced each other in three playoff series previously, with the Fever winning twice. Overall, the two teams have squared off in eight playoffs games, with both winning four games each.
Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun: Preview, Prediction and Odds
Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun is on Sunday (Sept. 22) at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT).
ABC will broadcast the game live, while the live streaming will be available on the WNBA League Pass after the game concludes.
Moneyline: Indiana Fever (+154) vs Connecticut Sun (-185)
Spread: Indiana Fever (+4.5) vs Connecticut Sun (-4.5)
Total (over/under): Indiana Fever (o163.5 -110) vs Connecticut Sun (o163.5 -110)
Editor's note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun: Preview
The playoff series between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun is set to be a clash between one of the league's most potent offenses and a top-tier defensive powerhouse.
The Fever were the third-best offensive team in the regular season, averaging 85 points per game. Christie Sides' squad led the league in shooting efficiency, hitting 45.4% from the field, and ranked second in 3-point shooting at 35.6%.
Meanwhile, the Sun's success stemmed from their stifling defense, both on the perimeter and inside the paint. Stephanie White's team boasted the league's best defensive rating at 94.1, while allowing the fewest points per game, holding opponents to just 73.6.
Indiana players, particularly Caitlin Clark, will need to find a way to counter the Sun's suffocating defense. Rookie Clark struggled against Connecticut in the four regular season games, averaging just 16.5 points, two rebounds, 3.8 assists while turning the ball over 6.3 times per game.
Good news for the Fever is that veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell will be available to play after she suffered an ankle injury in the last regular season game.
For Connecticut, Alyssa Thomas is the leader of a unit that thrives in team basketball rather than individualistic play. A total of six Sun players averaged more than 10 points per game in the regular season.
Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun: Predicted Starting Lineups
Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston
Connecticut Sun: DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones, DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris
Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun: Prediction
The playoff series between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun promises to be an exciting showdown as the energy of youth faces off against a seasoned veteran squad.
While Connecticut enters as the favorite, largely due to its experience in high-stakes playoff games, home court advantage could also play a decisive role.
In Game 1, expect the Sun to secure a hard-fought victory in front of their home crowd against the Fever.