5 reasons why Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever can upset Connecticut Sun in first round of WNBA playoffs 

On paper, Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever, which had a 20-20 regular-season record, should be no match for the 28-12 and playoff-scarred Connecticut Sun. The No. 6 Fever will face the No. 3 Sun in the postseason starting Sunday. Indiana will play past the regular season for the first time since 2016.

The Fever have come a long way since getting blown off the court 92-71 in Clark’s WNBA debut. They aren’t the same team that had no answer to the Sun’s physical defense, ball movement and interior scoring. Indiana’s strong sprint to finish the regular season suggests an upset is doable.

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5 reasons Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever can win their playoff series against Connecticut Sun

#5. No. 6 Fever played better than their regular season record indicated

In the Fever’s 9-5 record following the 2024 Paris Olympics break, four losses were against the Las Vegas Aces (twice) and Minnesota Lynx (twice). Each of those defeats was a highly contested game as well.

Indiana had a big chance to win on Sept. 13 against the Aces but eventually fell 78-74. The Fever were not two pushovers against two teams expected to challenge for the championship.

Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull will likely not be fazed by what Connecticut brings.

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#4. The Fever might still have 'home-court' edge

Clark-mania travels well on the road. Attendance skyrockets when the Indiana Fever play and it will not be different in the playoffs. Many fans at Mohegan Sun Arena will be rooting for the away team.

The Connecticut Sun hosts the Fever but not many would be surprised if Indiana feels at home in front of a supposed-to-be hostile crowd.

#3. Lexie Hull’s emergence will be a key factor in the series

Lexie Hull has put in a surprisingly impressive two-way force for the Indiana Fever. Since Christie Sides inserted Hull into the starting lineup, she has averaged a blistering 58.3% from behind the arc. Guarding Clark and Mitchell will be tough enough for the Sun, and Hull could make that job even more difficult.

Hull’s impact hasn’t been felt on the offensive end only. She has more than held her own on defense with her length, hustle and anticipation.

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#2. Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell pose a big problem for Connecticut

Indiana's backcourt of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell is undoubtedly one of the best in the WNBA and arguably better than what Connecticut has. They combined to average 19.2 ppg on 44.3% shooting, including 37.3% from deep with 5.1 rpg and 4.1 apg this season.

Clark and Mitchell were even better in Indiana’s 9-5 record late in the season. In the Fever’s 110-109 win against the Dallas Wings, the former had 35 points while the latter contributed 30.

One of them could explode at any given moment, a threat that would test Connecticut’s defense, the stingiest in the regular season. When they get going, Aliyah Boston’s life inside the paint gets a little easier with all the attention focused on the perimeter.

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#1. Caitlin Clark might be the best player in the Fever-Sun series

Alyssa Thomas, arguably Connecticut's best player, is averaging 10.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 7.9 apg and 1.6 spg. Meanwhile, Clark is putting up 19.2 ppg, 8.4 apg, 5.7 rpg and 1.3 spg. Clark’s game on offense has far more range, is more dynamic and deadlier.

If Clark and the Indiana Fever don’t suffer a case of the jitters in the playoffs against the postseason-tested Sun, an upset could happen.

Do you think Clark and Co. can win their first-round playoff series against the Connecticut Sun? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.