Round one of the WNBA playoffs concluded Wednesday night with two more series sweeps, sending home the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury. The sweeps add to the two we saw Tuesday night, advancing the Aces, Liberty, Sun, and Lynx into the semi-finals.
Caitlin Clark’s historic season has come to an end in the way it stared; in dramatic fashion. The Unanimous AP Rookie of the Year finished the game with 25 points, six rebounds, and nine assists; a considerable bounce back to her lackluster playoff debut on Sunday. The dramatics came into play after Clark was poked in the eye by Sun guard DiJonai Carrington in game one of the series. Speculation ensued online regarding whether or not the act was intentional, as well extreme hate comments directed at Carrington and the Sun. Both Clark and Carrington maintain that there was no malicious intent.
During the postgame presser for game two, Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas addressed the constant hateful comments WNBA players receive, focusing on the Fever fanbase. “It’s uncalled for, and something needs to be done, whether it’s them checking their fans, or the league.”
Thomas, a finalist for MVP last season, finished with 19 points, five boards, and 13 assists.
The controversy surrounding the series and general treatment of players prompted a statement to be released by the league :
The Minnesota Lynx dominated the Phoenix Mercury 101-88 to advance to the semi-finals. Napheesa Collier was the nail in Phoenix’s coffin with a career-high 42 point performance, tying the WNBA single-game postseason scoring record.
With the end of the Mercury’s season, likely comes the end of WNBA Legend Diana Taurasi’s 20 season career. the “White Mamba” fouled out on Wednesday night with 2:34 left having tallied 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. While DT hasn’t confirmed if she would be retiring, she’s eluded to it and the entire basketball world awaits Taurasi’s decision as we may have seen a GOAT perform her craft for her last time.
Semi-Finals Preview
The WNBA semi-finals are set to tip-off with Game one of the highly-anticipated Aces and Liberty matchup at 3PM on ABC and Game one of the Sun and Lynx matchup at 8:30 PM on ESPN.
The Suns and Aces will match up in a rematch of last season’s finals. Unfortunately it’ll come a bit earlier than last year as we’ll see an exciting semi-final clash. Unanimous MVP A’ja Wilson looks to lead her team to an away victory against the owners of the best regular season record, and last year’s MVP Breanna Stewart. Expect fireworks and championship-caliber performances this week as the best clashes with the best.
The Lynx and the Sun will battle in the primetime spot on ESPN, Sunday night. Both teams were at the top of the league in defensive rating during the regular season. The Sun claimed the top spot at 94.1 with the Lynx right behind them at 94.8. The Sun have their hands full with Napheesa Collier coming off a historic performance and will have to neutralize her to advance. Expect great basketball in a low-scoring, defensive heavy, and tightly contested affair.
Written By: Raven Ullah, WUFO Intern
