WNBA playoff season is here and for the first time in nearly a decade, the Indiana Fever are joining the party.
When Caitlin Clark was drafted No. 1 in April, the question on everyone’s mind was if the record-setting sensation from Iowa could lift the Fever back to the postseason? She did just that, helping Indiana secure the No. 6 seed. Now the question is, can they win a playoff series — or even a playoff game?
That journey starts Sunday, as the Fever take on No. 3 seed Connecticut in the Sun’s home arena. The teams met four times in the regular season, with Connecticut winning three of those games. But Indiana won the most recent matchup, 84-80, on Aug. 28.
The favorite for Rookie of the Year has helped the league experience unprecedented popularity this season and gotten plenty of attention and accolades herself. Early Sunday, when A’ja Wilson was named the unanimous MVP it was also revealed that Clark finished ahead of Connecticut’s do-everything guard/forward Alyssa Thomas in MVP voting (Clark was fourth with 130 votes, Thomas finished fifth with 83). Does Thomas use that as motivation Sunday, Wednesday and possibly Friday?
One other thing to keep in mind: Connecticut guard Marina Mabrey, who was traded to the Sun just before the Olympic break, only played in the final Indiana-Connecticut matchup, when she and the Sun were still feeling each other out. She’s a seamless part of their offense now. Does that make her the X-factor of this series?
MORE: ‘Marvel at it now:’ A’ja Wilson’s greatness on display as Aces pursue WNBA three-peat
MORE: WNBA postseason preview: Strengths and weaknesses for all 8 playoff teams
Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun
The Fever travel to the Sun for Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round playoff series Sunday.
What time is Game 1 of Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun
Game time is 3 p.m.
How to watch Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun
The game will be broadcast on ABC.
How to stream Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun
The game can be streamed on Fubo.
Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun postseason schedule
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Sunday, Game 1: Indiana at Connecticut (3 p.m., ABC)
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Wednesday, Game 2: Indiana at Connecticut (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
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Friday, Game 3*: Connecticut at Indiana (TBD, ESPN 2)
(* – If necessary; all times Eastern)
WNBA postseason schedule
Sunday:
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Game 1: Atlanta at New York (1 p.m., ESPN)
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Game 1: Indiana at Connecticut (3 p.m., ABC)
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Game 1: Phoenix at Minnesota (5 p.m., ESPN)
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Game 1: Seattle at Las Vegas (10 p.m., ESPN)
Tuesday:
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Game 2: Atlanta at New York (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
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Game 2: Seattle at Las Vegas (9:30 p.m., ESPN)
Wednesday:
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Game 2: Indiana at Connecticut (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
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Game 2: Phoenix at Minnesota (9:30 p.m., ESPN)
Thursday:
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Game 3*: New York at Atlanta (TBD, ESPN 2)
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Game 3*: Las Vegas at Seattle (TBD, ESPN 2)
Friday:
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Game 3*: Connecticut at Indiana (TBD, ESPN 2)
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Game 3*: Minnesota at Phoenix (TBD, ESPN 2)
(* – If necessary; all times Eastern)
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun: How to watch WNBA playoff Game 1
