The Esthen ExchangeIndiana Fever make a return to the WNBA playoffs after an eight-year absence to take on third-seeded Connecticut Sun in the first round of the best-of-three series.

The Fever, who are the sixth seed, are led by Rookie of the Year front-runner Caitlin Clark (19.2 points, 8.4 apg) and Kelsey Mitchell (19.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and won seven more games in the regular season than the year before.

This is the fourth time the teams have met in the postseason. The Sun swept Indiana in 2005, and the Fever won the series in 2007 and 2012. In 2012, the Fever went on to win the WNBA championship.

When is Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun?

• Date: Sunday, Sept. 22
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut

Game 2: Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m. ET

Game 3 (if necessary): Friday, Sept. 27 at Indiana, tip time TBA

How to watch Caitlin Clark and Fever vs. Connecticut Sun

• TV:  ABC (national)

This game will be available to view on demand on WNBA League Pass after it concludes. Fans can get the WNBA League Pass by downloading the WNBA app.

Season series

The Sun beat the Fever in three of their four matchups this season.

• May 14, at Connecticut: Connecticut 92, Indiana 71
• May 20, at Indiana: Connecticut 88, Indiana 84
• June 10, at Connecticut: Connecticut 89, Indiana 72
• Aug. 28, at Indiana: Indiana 84, Connecticut 80

Caitlin Clark stats last game and season stats

In the season finale against the Washington Mystics, Clark played only 20 minutes and had eight points, eight assists, and five rebounds in the 92-91 loss.

The game played at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., was attended by 20,711 fans, the largest in WNBA history.

Clark finished her rookie season averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. She shot 41.7% from the field, 34.4% from 3-point land and 90.6% at the free-throw line.