Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun Preview

It's crunch time for Caitlin Clark and the Fever as they head into Game 2 of their three-game series against the Connecticut Sun. The stakes for the Indiana Fever are simple: win, and they force a deciding third game back home at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Lose, and their amazing season comes to a disappointing close.

For the Sun, the implications aren't as stark, but they are complicated. Connecticut will be looking to win in a different fashion, probably without the astounding accuracy displayed by Marina Mabrey, who contributed 27 points off the bench on Sunday.

Photo byRyan GraybillonUnsplash

Game Details

Fixture: Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun

Date and Time: September 25, 2024 @ 7:30 PM EST

Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville CT

Indiana Fever Team Review

The Indiana Fever were routed in the first game, which proved to be a surprisingly easy Connecticut victory. The first quarter was both fast-paced and competitive, but everything stopped working for Indiana after that.

The key to the loss was the performance of rookie superstar Caitlin Clark, who simply couldn't buy a bucket in the first half. She got one open look after another, but nothing was falling and the Sun went into the break up by eight points.

The Sun extended their lead in the third quarter, but this drew no response from the Fever. Clark still couldn't shoot, and when Kelsey Mitchell went cold from beyond the arc, the game was basically over. The lone bright spot was Aliyah Boston, who posted 17 points to go with 10 rebounds in a strong effort.

Connecticut Sun Team Review

For the Sun, this win was a team effort, but it was Marina Mabrey who provided the highlight reel performance that made it truly special. Mabrey's 27 points led all scorers, but it was the way she scored that was as vital as the actual results.

When Caitlin Clark finally hit a pair of threes in the third quarter and it looked like she might get it going, it was Mabrey who responded, nailing two of her own in response. Another three followed shortly, and that seemed to break Clark's spirit for good. After that the route was on.

No one is expecting Mabrey to do it again, but the Sun have featured balanced scoring all year, so they're not necessarily looking for another historic game from her. Connecticut also used tough defense to win this one, and the move that proved especially decisive was putting Dewanna Bonner on Clark, as her length seemed to bother the Indiana rookie.

Who to Watch

Indiana Fever

It almost goes without saying that Clark will need to shoot better for Indiana to win, but this one will be a severe test of her skills as a floor leader. She looked dispirited and beaten by the midpoint of the third quarter, to the point where no one was surprised when the Fever pulled their starters early.

The Fever will also need all three members of their Big 3 to step up. That means Mitchell will have to shoot well, too, and Boston will basically need to duplicate her results from the first game. It won't be easy, but Indiana has been both feisty and resolute when challenged so directly, and this will be their biggest test of the year by far.

Connecticut Sun

Assuming Mabrey doesn't go off again, who steps up? Bonner had 22 to go with Mabrey's offensive explosion, and the best complementary effort on Sunday was submitted by Alyssa Thomas, who did a bit of everything while posting a triple-double. The Sun often don't have a primary scorer per se, so it will be interesting to see who gets buckets if they revert to their usual balanced ways.

This article was originally written by Bob McCullough