Connecticut Sun upset by Indiana Fever 84-80 as Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell combine for 42 points
The Sun, currently sitting at 22-8, were riding high after their big win over the Liberty, but their hectic schedule began to take its toll. Having played six games in just 12 days, Connecticut struggled to find their usual defensive sharpness, which has been a hallmark of their success this season. Typically, the Sun have been able to stifle opponents with a stingy defense, allowing an average of just 73 points per game and limiting teams to six 3-pointers per contest. However, the Fever exploited these lapses, hitting 13 of their 30 attempts from beyond the arc, a critical factor in their victory.
Head coach Stephanie White acknowledged the Sun’s defensive struggles, giving credit to Indiana for their performance. “Certainly give a ton of credit to Indiana and the way that they played. Their pace makes it difficult. They put a lot of pressure on you,” White said. “They knocked down big shots, won a lot of the hustle plays, and stepped up when they needed to.”
She further emphasized the importance of playing a complete game, something her team couldn’t accomplish on this particular night. “We are consistently, I think, on that quest to put 40 minutes together. We weren’t able to do it tonight, and this time of the year, everybody’s playing for something. Everybody’s back is against the wall, and you’ve got to bring it for 40 minutes.”
The Fever’s resurgence following the WNBA’s Olympic break has been nothing short of impressive. With a 4-1 record since the league resumed play, Indiana has found a renewed sense of confidence and rhythm, which was on full display against Connecticut. Veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell led the way for the Fever, scoring 23 points, including an efficient 4-for-7 from 3-point range. Meanwhile, rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, who has quickly made a name for herself in the league, contributed 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
While Indiana celebrated their strong performance, the Sun had some bright spots despite the loss. DiJonai Carrington shone on both ends of the floor, delivering an elite defensive performance against Clark. Carrington forced seven turnovers and recorded a career-high six steals, all while anchoring Connecticut’s offense with 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Coach White praised Carrington’s impact, saying, “I thought she was really good for us. Her ability to get downhill, her ability to get in and out in transition, get to the free-throw line. She wreaks havoc defensively, but she’s gotten this explosiveness that we didn’t have, so we need her to continue to stay aggressive on the offensive end while continuing to do what she does best on the defensive end for us.”
The Fever’s offensive prowess was evident from the opening quarter. Indiana came out firing, with seven different players contributing to a 33-point quarter, the most the Sun have allowed in a single quarter all season. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 11 points in the first, as Indiana shot 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Connecticut, known for their defensive tenacity, looked uncharacteristically vulnerable, struggling to close out on shooters and allowing Indiana to build momentum.
Despite these defensive lapses, the Sun managed to keep pace offensively. After jumping out to an early 8-2 lead thanks to four Indiana turnovers in the opening two minutes, Connecticut soon found themselves on the wrong end of a 13-2 run sparked by Indiana’s center Aliyah Boston. By the end of the first quarter, the Sun trailed by seven, despite scoring 26 points, their second-highest first-quarter output of the season.
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut’s star forward, led the charge in the first half, going 4-for-4 from the field for nine points. However, the Sun struggled to find a consistent scoring threat, and no player reached double figures before halftime. In contrast, Indiana’s balanced attack featured three players—Clark, Lexie Hull, and Mitchell—each with 10 or more points by the break. The Fever’s hot shooting from deep continued, as they connected on 9 of their 18 3-point attempts, helping them secure a 51-42 lead at the half.
Coach White lamented her team’s slow start, emphasizing the importance of being ready to compete from the opening tip. “I don’t feel like we came out ready to go. We had an okay start, but you’ve got to know that this is a team that’s going to make runs,” White said. “They shoot the ball incredibly well. They have great balance. They’ve figured out how to play together … Our attention to detail wasn’t great in the first quarter. We were coming from behind. We were reacting instead of dictating. We were getting lost.”
In the second half, the Sun showed their resilience. Connecticut came out of the locker room with renewed energy, quickly erasing their nine-point deficit and taking a one-point lead just three minutes into the third quarter. But in a game defined by runs, Indiana responded with a surge of their own, reclaiming an eight-point advantage. Marina Mabrey kept the Sun within striking distance, hitting a pair of clutch 3-pointers late in the third quarter, cutting Indiana’s lead to just three points at 69-66 heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter remained tightly contested, with both teams trading blows. Mabrey once again came through for Connecticut, sinking a crucial 3-pointer with under three minutes remaining to tie the game at 80-80. However, Clark responded with a layup to give Indiana the lead once again. The Sun had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but a costly turnover, forced by Indiana’s Temi Fagbenle, squandered their opportunity.
A pair of free throws from Lexie Hull sealed the victory for Indiana, as the Fever held on for a hard-fought win. Hull finished the night with 17 points and eight rebounds, shooting 5-for-9 from the field.
For the Sun, Alyssa Thomas recorded 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Marina Mabrey added 16 points, including a team-best 4-for-9 from beyond the arc. DeWanna Bonner contributed 13 points and a team-leading eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Fever’s balanced attack and hot shooting.
Reflecting on the game, Thomas highlighted the importance of getting stops on defense. “It was just getting stops. Whenever we got stops, we got whatever we wanted in transition,” Thomas said. “We’ve got to have attention to detail, be more locked in to what we’re doing on the game plan, and we have to be able to make adjustments when needed.”