WNBA Playoff Bracket 2024: Up to date Image After Caitlin Clark, Fever Lose to Solar

Caitlin Clark had among the finest, and positively most impactful, rookie seasons in WNBA historical past. And sure, it could actually now be described previously tense.

The Connecticut Solar ended the Indiana Fever’s season on Wednesday night time, successful Sport 2 of the first-round sequence between the groups, 87-81, and finishing the sweep.

For the Solar, a matchup with both the Phoenix Mercury or Minnesota Lynx stays. For Clark and the Fever, a improbable season has come to a detailed, although the longer term stays vibrant.

Wednesday’s Outcomes

Solar def. Fever, 87-81

Lynx def. Mercury, 101-88

Upcoming Schedule

Semifinals

Sport 1: Las Vegas Aces at New York Liberty

Sunday, Sept. 29 (3 p.m. ET)

Sport 1: Connecticut Solar at Minnesota Lynx

Sunday, Sept. 29 (8:30 p.m. ET)

Lynx def. Mercury, 101-88

After dropping 38 factors in Sport 1, Napheesa Collier tied the WNBA playoff document with 42 factors on 14-of-20 taking pictures to steer Minnesota to a sweep over Phoenix.

All 5 Minnesota starters scored in double figures. The crew shot 50.7 % from the sector and compelled 14 turnovers.

The distinction in expertise was an excessive amount of for the Mercury to beat. They got here out of the gate sturdy with a 25-21 lead on the finish of the primary quarter.

It was the third quarter that proved to be the distinction. The Lynx opened the second half with a two level lead earlier than extending it to 76-64 on the finish of the third interval.

This loss may mark the top of Diana Taurasi’s legendary profession. She acquired an ovation from the Minnesota crowd after fouling out late within the fourth quarter.

“I do not know,” Taurasi said when requested about probably retiring after a Sept. 17 recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Sparks. “The final couple of weeks have been just a little nerve-racking for myself. I do not wish to make any emotional, rash choices. I do know the top is close to. When that’s, I do not know.”

A 3-time WNBA MVP, Taurasi did not make any definitive statements about her future after Wednesday’s loss. She completed with 10 factors and three assists in half-hour.

The win earned the Lynx their first postseason sequence victory since 2021. This marks their first look within the semifinals since 2020 after they have been swept by the Seattle Storm.

Minnesota will host Connecticut in Sport 1 of the semifinals on Sunday. The Solar went 2-1 in opposition to the Lynx within the common season, with all three video games determined by 5 factors or much less.

Solar def. Fever, 87-81

Clark didn’t go down with out a battle, scoring a game-high 25 factors to go together with 9 assists and 6 rebounds.

The expertise and depth of the Solar was an excessive amount of to beat, nevertheless, as all seven Connecticut gamers who appeared within the recreation scored eight or extra factors. Alyssa Thompson was improbable, posting a 19-point, 13-assist double-double.

The charity stripe performed an enormous function within the contest as properly, because the Solar hit 22 of their 23 free-throw makes an attempt. The Fever have been simply 7-of-9 from the free-throw line.

The Fever raced out to an early 13-4 lead within the first quarter. However the Solar responded with a 13-1 result in finish the quarter and appeared to take management from there, main by as many as 11 factors early within the fourth quarter.

However the Fever fought again, pulling forward on a Clark three-pointer with precisely 4 minutes remaining, and the 2 groups traded haymakers from there, establishing the improbable end.

The dagger got here with about 46 seconds remaining, as a Marina Mabrey three put the Solar up by 4. Kelsey Mitchell missed a 3 of her personal on Indiana’s subsequent possession, the Solar made all six free-throw makes an attempt down the stretch, and Clark’s season got here to a detailed.

It was an excellent journey, and nothing however larger issues are anticipated. However the WNBA is a distinct beast, and the Fever aren’t among the many league’s elite simply but.