The Connecticut Sun opened their WNBA Playoff campaign in dominant fashion, cruising to a 93-69 victory over the Indiana Fever in Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round series. The spotlight was on Sun star Alyssa Thomas, who continued to cement her legacy as one of the league’s all-time greats, notching her fourth career playoff triple-double with 12 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Thomas’ performance marked her 15th triple-double overall, extending her WNBA record and setting the tone for a Sun team that outmatched the young and hungry Fever. Thomas, as usual, orchestrated the offense with precision, creating opportunities for her teammates, including DeWanna Bonner and Marina Mabrey, who contributed heavily to the Sun’s offensive dominance.
Bonner, who has been alongside Thomas for many of her stat-sheet stuffing nights, added 22 points in the win. Mabrey, who came off the bench, exploded for 27 points, 20 of which came in the second half. Her performance marked the most points scored by a reserve in WNBA playoff history, according to ESPN, adding further momentum to Connecticut’s commanding performance.
Meanwhile, it was a bittersweet night for Indiana’s rookie star Caitlin Clark, who made her highly anticipated WNBA playoff debut. Earlier in the day, Clark was named the Associated Press Rookie of the Year, solidifying her stellar first season in the league. However, her debut was spoiled by the overwhelming firepower of the Sun. Clark managed 11 points, recovering from a rough shooting start, and added eight assists, showing flashes of the brilliance she displayed throughout the regular season.
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana in scoring with 21 points, while the No. 1 overall pick, Aliyah Boston, delivered a solid outing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Despite strong individual efforts, the Fever struggled to keep up with the relentless pace set by Connecticut in the second half.
The Sun’s victory puts them in a commanding position heading into Game 2, which will take place on Wednesday night in Connecticut. With the series now on the line, Indiana will need to regroup and find a way to counter the Sun’s multifaceted attack. If necessary, a decisive Game 3 will be played in Indiana on Friday night.
Clark and the Fever will be looking to extend their season, but with Thomas and the Sun playing at such a high level, they face an uphill battle to stay alive in the series.
