Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) indicators mini basketballs for followers following in a WNBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photograph/Michael Conroy)
Caitlin Clark will make her first look within the WNBA playoffs within the enviornment the place she began her skilled profession.
The Indiana Fever will play in Connecticut on Sunday because the league’s postseason will get underway with 4 best-of-three collection. The 2-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces will host Seattle, top-seed New York will play Atlanta and Minnesota faces Phoenix.
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Clark, who had a record-breaking rookie season, will attempt to lead Indiana to its first playoff win since 2015 when present Solar coach Stephanie White was in control of the Fever.
READ: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese change WNBA’s panorama, and its future
That is the third straight postseason the league will use a best-of-three format with the higher seeded group internet hosting the primary two video games. A decisive third recreation can be performed on the house of the lower-seeded group.
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Las Vegas goals to grow to be the primary group to win three consecutive titles since Houston received the primary 4 WNBA championships.
Right here’s a take a look at the 4 collection that start Sunday.
No. 1 New York vs No. 8 Atlanta
The Liberty had the most effective file within the league and fell simply two wins wanting the franchise’s first championship final yr, dropping to Las Vegas in 4 video games. The Dream are within the playoffs for the second consecutive season, led by Tina Charles.
Season Collection: New York received three of the 4 video games with the lone loss coming within the season finale, when the Liberty had nothing to play for and the Dream have been preventing to get into the playoffs.
BetMGM odds to win championship: New York +125, Atlanta +50,000.
Main Storylines: The Liberty’s chemistry has improved this season, the second with the core group of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot enjoying collectively. Stewart has proven as soon as once more she’s probably the greatest gamers within the league and is a troublesome matchup. Atlanta is again within the playoffs for the second consecutive yr — the primary time that’s occurred since 2013-14. Charles is a New York native, who performed a number of seasons for the Liberty.
No. 4 Las Vegas vs. No. 5 Seattle
Las Vegas Aces heart A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates in the course of the second half of a WNBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Connecticut Solar, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Solar by way of AP)
A’ja Wilson has been the most effective participant within the league this yr, elevating her already spectacular play to a different stage. She turned the primary participant in league historical past to attain over 1,000 factors in a season and has been dominant on each ends of the courtroom. The Aces began off slowly this season, whereas Chelsea Grey was out recovering from a foot harm suffered within the WNBA Finals final yr. The group has come on sturdy these days. They’ve received 9 of their final 10 video games heading into the playoffs, together with a win over Seattle on Tuesday. The Storm added Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith within the offseason so as to add to their aggressive edge.
Season Collection: The Aces took three of the 4 video games from the Storm this season.
BetMGM odds to win championship: Las Vegas +225, Seattle +2500.
Main Storylines: The Aces are peaking on the proper time to make a run at one other championship, with Wilson, Grey, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Younger main the way in which. Las Vegas added Tiffany Hayes halfway by the season and she or he’s been a stable prompt the bench. Las Vegas is aware of win within the playoffs and shall be a troublesome out. Seattle’s concern is the well being of Jewell Loyd, who missed the final three video games with a knee harm. With out Loyd, the Storm shall be hard-pressed to knock off the champions.
No. 2 Minnesota vs. No. 7 Phoenix
The Minnesota Lynx have been the shock group of the season led by star ahead Napheesa Collier. Minnesota took the Commissioner’s Cup title by defeating New York, indicating how good Cheryl Reeve’s group may very well be. Minnesota is among the hottest group heading into the playoffs. The Lynx had received 13 of 14 video games earlier than dropping a meaningless contest to shut out the common season. The Mercury have been on the opposite finish of the spectrum, heading into the playoffs with seven losses of their final 10 video games.
Season Collection: The Lynx received three of the 4 conferences this season, with all victories coming by double digits.
BetMGM odds to win championship: Minnesota +270, Phoenix +10,000.
Main Storylines: Diana Taurasi hasn’t mentioned whether or not she’s going to retire on the finish of this season or not, however Phoenix honored the league’s all-time main scorer on Thursday as if it was the tip of her profession. The Mercury have the expertise to make a run within the playoffs with Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper main the way in which. They could simply be hard-pressed to beat the proficient Lynx, who’ve been enjoying extraordinarily effectively. Since successful their final title in 2017, Minnesota has received just one playoff collection, beating Phoenix in 2020.
No. 3 Connecticut vs. No. 6 Indiana
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after a three-point basket in opposition to the Dallas Wings within the first half of a WNBA basketball recreation in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photograph/Michael Conroy)
All eyes shall be on Clark as she makes her postseason debut. The Fever struggled early within the season with a troublesome schedule, however have actually come on sturdy after the Olympic break. They’d the primary .500 or higher season since 2016 — the final time the group made the playoffs ending at 20-20. Clark, who set the league file for assists and the rookie mark for factors, has assist from Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. Connecticut has been to eight straight postseasons — the longest energetic streak. Led by Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, the Solar look to finish Clark’s first yr.
Season Collection: The Solar received three of the 4 conferences, however the Fever took the final one. The three Connecticut wins all got here throughout the first month of the season.
BetMGM odds to win championship: Connecticut +1,000, Indiana +2,500.
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Main Storylines: Clark has at all times thrived on the largest stage and is prepared for her playoff debut. For the Fever to succeed, they’ll want different gamers to step up and assist her. Clark averaged 16.3 factors and three.8 rebounds within the 4 conferences. The Solar want to get again to the WNBA Finals for the primary time since 2022.
