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Fever vs Sun first round match
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Fever vs Sun first round match

(This story has been updated with new information)

The Indiana Fever will play the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the 2024 WNBA playoffs. The Fever is the league’s sixth seed and the Sun is third.

The Fever (20-20) are in the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the last time they finished .500. Presumptive Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark (19.2 points, league-leading 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds) and Kelsey Mitchell (19.2 points, 40.2% 3-point shooting) lead the Fever offense, aided by fellow WNBA All-Star Aliyah Boston (14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds) and NaLyssa Smith (10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds).

More: Kelsey Mitchell fears injury: ‘Nothing serious’. Fever expects top scorer for play-offs.

The Sun (28-12) have six double-figure scorers (details below) and boast the league’s most economical defense, allowing 74 points per game. Connecticut is frugal with the ball (12 turnovers per game) and forces opponents into a league-most 15 turnovers.

Alyssa Thomas was a member of the U.S. Olympic team that won the 2024 Paris Olympics. DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones were on the WNBA All-Star team that defeated the Olympic team in an exhibition. Tyasha Harris is a 2016 graduate of Heritage Christian High School in Indianapolis.

The Fever likes to push the pace, while the Sun likes to make it a half-court game. The team that imposes its style will likely have an advantage.

When do the Fever and Sun play in the WNBA playoffs?

September 22, Sunday: in Connecticut, 3pm ET, ABC

September 25, Wednesday: at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

*-27 Sept, Friday: at Indiana, TBA, ESPN2

*-if necessary

Fever vs. Sun scores in 2024

The Sun hold a 3-1 lead this season, with the first three meetings coming in the opening 11 games of the season.

May 14, in Connecticut: Sun 92, Fever 71

May 20, in Indiana: Sun 88, Fever 84

June 10 in Connecticut: Sun 89, Fever 72

August 28, in Indiana: Fever 84, Sun 80

Connecticut Sun Stats Leaders

Six Sun players average double figures. They traded Marina Mabrey from the Chicago Sky to add 3-point skills.

DeWanna Bonner (15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals); Marina Mabrey (14.9 points, 42.4% 3-point shooting), Brionna Jones (13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds), DiJonai Carrington (12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds), Tyasha Harris (10.5 points), Alyssa Thomas (10.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists)

Connecticut Sun Selection

With player number, name, height

3, Tiffany Mitchell, 5-9

4, Marina Mabrey, 5-11

10, Olivia Nelson-Odada, 6-5

21, Di Jonai Carrington, 5-11

22, Veronica Burton, 5-9

24, DeWanna Bonner, 6-4

25, Alyssa Thomas, 6-2

42, Brionna Jones, 6-3

45, Astou Ndour-Val, 6-5

51, Caitlin Bickle, 6-1

52, Tyasha Harris, 5-10

Jealousy, fear, respect: How Caitlin Clark has been treated by WNBA players is complicated

‘Babysitting’ is over: Clark’s concerns about technical errors are behind her for now

Coach of Connecticut Sun

Indiana basketball legend Stephanie White is in her third season as coach of the Sun. White won Indiana Miss Basketball at Seeger High School (1995), led Purdue to a national championship (1999), and played for (2000-04) and coached the Fever (2015-16).

Briann January, a former Fever player (2009-14), is an assistant coach.

Why is Connecticut called the Sun?

The team plays at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville.

Why is there a WNBA team in Connecticut?

Connecticut is a hotbed for women’s basketball. The UConn women’s basketball team, coached by Geno Auriemma, has been a powerhouse for decades, winning 11 NCAA championships. The fandom has extended to the pros.

The franchise, originally called Orlando Miracle, started in 1999 and moved to Connecticut in 2003.

Have the Connecticut Sun ever won a championship?

No. They lost the WNBA Finals in 2004, ’05, ’19 and ’22.