Indiana Fever v Minnesota Lynx - Source: Getty — Caitlin Clark's 1st round WNBA Playoff battle against the Minnesota Lynx gets a prediction from Rebecca Lobo - Source: Getty

Rebecca Lobo predicts Caitlin Clark's 1st round WNBA Playoff battle against MVP contender

Modified Sep 08, 2024 12:20 GMT

Basketball Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo previewed the possible first-round match between Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx as the WNBA season nears the postseason. Indiana ranks sixth in the league standings, whereas Minnesota holds the second position. Lobo discussed her opinion on these two teams during Saturday's episode of ESPN's "SportsCenter."

After the Olympic break, the Fever's performance drastically improved, transforming them from a struggling young squad to one of the top teams in the league. They are also ranked fourth offensively due to their efficient ball distribution and fast playing style.

Meanwhile, the Lynx have a record of 25-9 in the current season. They are considered one of the most dominant defensive teams in the WNBA, standing in third place in the league. In addition to their strong defensive game, they are also being guided by MVP candidate Napheesa Collier. The Connecticut Sun are right on their heels with a record of 24-10.

"These are two teams that are simply fun to watch," Lobo said. "... You have a couple of players who should each be First Team All-WNBA performers. Napheesa Collier for the Minnesota Lynx ... and of course Caitlin Clark, one of the most exciting players to watch in all of women's basketball ... This would be an incredibly fun matchup ..."

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The possibility of both teams meeting in the first round of the WNBA playoffs has created excitement for a highly anticipated showdown between two dynamic squads.

Caitlin Clark talked about what it was like to go up against the Minnesota Lynx

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever's five-game winning streak was snapped last Friday by the Lynx ball club. The game ended with a score of 99-88.

After the defeat, the rookie star pointed out that Minnesota's spacing and exceptional ball movement make it a challenging opponent, according to Nat Newell from IndyStar.

"They're the hardest team to guard," Clark said. "Their movement is incredible. ... They run great action. Space the floor. It's hard to guard. [Napheesa Collier] demands so much attention. You're guarding three-point shooters with two people. There's only so much you can do and [Bridget] Carlton makes us pay. We gave up 34 points in the paint."

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark vs. Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman - Source: Getty

Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark totaled 68 points in the game but fell short of beating the Lynx. It served as a reminder of the additional growth needed by the Indiana team to surpass Minnesota.

Facing the possibility of a Lynx matchup in the playoffs, this defeat could serve as an important film session to implement the required changes. With the postseason just a few days away, this kind of loss might be just what the team needs to get it to the next level.