8 straight season. While the Indiana Fever has made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, one can not ignore that their Round One contenders have made it to the elimination series for their eighth consecutive season. The Connecticut-based franchise started the season on a high as they defeated the Fever in their season opener, and now in the post-season the Sun again look to dominate in a rematch during a 3-game series with Caitlin Clark & Co. And this time analysts once again opine that the Sun might succeed in trumping their opponents, considering they have an unusual motivation at hand.

Rebecca Lobo was present during a chat with Sam Ravech and Ari Chambers on ESPN’s WNBA Hoop Streams on Friday when she reminded everyone why the Sun might be looking to give their all. And hearing this coming from a senior analyst only looked to have intensified the much-anticipated clash.

“Just to quickly add to that, you have to look at this Connecticut Sun team as the most likely the last year that this core group is together. They are all free agents after the season. So when you say this is their last go around most likely as a unit, it is,” Lobo stated.

Well, indeed a motivation considering 4 of the Sun starters will be free agents after this season. DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones, Alyssa Thomas, and DiJonai Carrington. All of them make the top 5 in scoring and top 4 in rebounds. While all of them have been crucial in the team’s success, it will likely be impossible to bring them all back with a cap space estimated around $1,116,264.

Moreover, not only had the former two re-singed just last year on a one-year contract, but with Alyssa Thomas’ 10-year with the team for no championship and Bonner’s 15-year run sparking retirement speculations, the chances of the continuation of the same line up looks bleak. So their motivation might be all valid as they take on the Indiana Fever in their home ground. “Connecticut cannot afford to not make it this year,” Chambers, also remarks on the show. 

But making it to the playoffs for the first time in 8 years, Caitlin Clark & Co. will not let them have it easy.

Caitlin Clark & Co.’s determination as strong as the Sun

“Making the playoffs is our goal,” the Fever head coach Christie Sides had revealed in August this year. And ever since their return from the Olympic break, they have never looked back, taking it one game at a time. Finding their their rhythm and chemistry, the team clinched 9 wins out of 14 games they played.

Losing to the Washington Mystics by only a singular point in their last regular season game on Thursday, Sides revealed the recipe for their magic. “We’ve got 12 players who are all real competitors,” she stated while applauding her team for not “miss(ing) a workout,” and being competitive even during practice sessions.

The Connecticut Suns have taken the season series their way, winning 3 of the 4 games. But the final one was for the Fever to grab. Going 80-84, in their top form, second half of the campaign, Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexie Hull, all stunned scoring over 17. Their other starters, Nalyssa Smith and Aliyah Boston put up 10 each too, completing a double-digit run for the Fever 5. So likely on the momentum now, the visiting team might just make it a game not to miss.

The teams meet at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday and can be watched live on ABC at 3 PM.