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Sunday saw the start of perhaps the most anticipated postseason in WNBA history. While all four top-seeded teams emerged victorious, the day was filled with exciting events.

Some stars struggled, others flourished and one of them managed to do both in the same game.

Below is a breakdown of Game 1 from each first round of this season’s WNBA playoffs.

For much of their game against the Seattle Storm, it looked like the Las Vegas Aces were going to start their third season in the worst possible way.

At the end of the first quarter, Becky Hammon’s team trailed 18-9, with A’ja Wilson making just one of her eight shots. By halftime, Las Vegas had cut Seattle’s lead to four thanks to 12 points from the excellent Tiffany Hayes, but Wilson was still struggling with just four points.

Wilson recovered after the break, however, and returned to the form that earned her unanimous WNBA Most Valuable Player of 2024 earlier in the day, matching the three MVP awards won by Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson.

Suddenly the 28-year-old was in top shape, scoring 15 points in the third quarter, including a game-winning three-pointer that helped the Aces cut Seattle’s lead to a single point in the fourth quarter.

Then Las Vegas tightened the clamp, forcing the Storm to miss all 13 of its shots and score just two points in the final 10 minutes of the game. Kelsey Plum gave the Aces the lead with 7:08 remaining, and the team never looked back, outscoring Seattle 14-2. Wilson, who was quiet for most of the game, finished with a game-high 21 points, eight rebounds and five blocks.

“We just went at it,” Wilson said afterward, according to the Seattle Times. “We understood the assignment and what was expected of us. We knew in the first half that this wasn’t going to be easy. This is the playoffs. This isn’t a regular-season game.

“They kind of hit us in the face in the first half, but in the second half we just figured it out. We just clicked on defense, we’ve got to keep going. There’s no ifs or buts about it. That’s where we can feed our offense. We just started committing more. We increased our physicality. (Coach) Becky (Hammon) was yelling at us in the locker room. That definitely woke us up and we just took it personally.”

Another win for the Aces in Game 2 on Tuesday moves them into the semifinals and one step closer to a third straight championship — a feat only the Houston Comets have accomplished in the league’s first four years.

Sun’s Alyssa Thomas records triple-double to beat Caitlin Clark and the Fever

With all the attention and hype surrounding Caitlin Clark’s playoff debut, it was Alyssa Thomas who turned heads in the Connecticut Sun’s upset 93-69 win over the Indiana Fever.

The forward finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists for her 15th career triple-double and fourth in the postseason. Thomas also recorded a triple-double against Indiana in the first game of this year’s regular season.

“We did what we had to do. I’ve been waiting all season for the playoffs, this is what you play for,” the five-time WNBA All-Star said, according to AP. “This is just the beginning for us, we’re ready.”

Marina Mabrey and DeWanna Bonner also stood out, with the former scoring 27 points more than any other substitute in WNBA postseason history.

Despite scoring 22 points herself, Bonner had high praise for Thomas. “She gets us to where we need to be in big moments,” she said, according to the AP. “The way she reads the game and sees the court. … It’s an advantage to have a player who can pass the ball, run the game, defend and literally play 40 minutes. Our team can’t do it without her.”

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

It was a postseason debut to forget for Clark, as the Fever suffered the worst playoff loss in franchise history. After being unanimously named AP WNBA Rookie of the Year earlier in the day, Clark was limited to 11 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals.

“We didn’t play well, didn’t play at the level we can,” Clark said, according to AP. “We didn’t shoot the ball the way we can. We’re capable of winning this game.”

Making their first playoff appearance since 2016 – when they were coached by Stephanie White, Connecticut’s current head coach – Indiana started hot, leading 36-34 with 3:45 left in the first half.

But the Sun made their quality count from that point on, closing the half on a 12-2 run that put Bonner up 16 points by halftime. The Fever would never recover, and now Indiana must win Game 2 on Wednesday to keep its postseason alive.

Leonie Fiebich and Napheesa Collier shine in Liberty and Lynx

Rookie Leonie Fiebich justified Liberty coach Sandy Brondello’s decision to insert her into the starting lineup, scoring a game-high 21 points to help New York to an 83-69 win over the Atlanta Dream.

Brondello was pleased with the German’s impact after relegating guard Courtney Vandersloot to the bench to add more length to Liberty’s lineup.

“Leo had a great game. We’ve bragged about her contributions all season,” Brondello said, according to the New York Post. “It’s a no-brainer, but she’s always ready. Whether she starts or comes off the bench, she’s always in her place.”

Fiebich’s contribution was, unsurprisingly, complemented by Breanna Stewart – who had 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks – and Sabrina Ionescu, who added 17 points.

Elsewhere, Napheesa Collier scored a game-high 38 points for the Minnesota Lynx in their 102-95 win over the Phoenix Mercury.

While all eyes were on Diana Taurasi ahead of her potential retirement, it was Collier – who had just finished second behind Wilson in the MVP standings – who stole the show, with four assists and six rebounds, in addition to her career-high points total.

Natasha Cloud was the Mercury’s best player, recording 33 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, while Taurasi added 21 points.

The first round is a best-of-three series. Winners are in bold.

Away @ Home (match 1)

Atlanta Dream 69-83 Freedom of New York

Phoenix Mercury 95-102 Minnesota lynx

Indiana Fever 69-93 Connecticut Sun

Seattle storms 67-78 Las Vegas Aces