Fever vs. Liberty highlights: Score as Caitlin Clark, Indiana lose close game to NY

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  Caitlin Clark   and the   Indiana Fever   played the defending WNBA champion   New York Liberty   Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis in a nationally televised game that came down to the final moments. The Fever have started the season 2-1, following an 81-76  victory over the Atlanta Dream on Thursday. Clark had 11 points, six assists and four rebounds in the victory. But she went 0-for-5 from the 3-point line, ending her streak of 140 games (counting WNBA and college) with at least one 3-pointer. The Fever ultimately lost Saturday's game to the Liberty, 90-88. Here’s how it all went down between the Fever and Liberty on Saturday with final score and highlights: New York vs. Indiana final: Liberty 90, Fever 88 Jonquel Jones scored 26 points and Sabrina Ionescu added 23, including the game-winning free throws with 2.2 seconds left, leading four players in double figures as the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty stormed b...
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Nuggets vs. Thunder: Players to watch, predictions, Western Conference semis TV schedule



When the NBA playoff seeds began to take shape late in the regular season, we would’ve signed up for an Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets second-round matchup. 

The Nuggets won a championship in 2023 and are trying to do it again despite firing head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with three games remaining in the regular season. They still have key players from that championship team, including three-time MVP Nikola Jokic who is a finalist for the award again this season along with the Thunder's Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Thunder, who won a franchise record 68 games, are trying to win the title for the first time since the franchise moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008.

Here's everything you need to know about the second-round series between the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder and No. 4 Denver Nuggets:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, guard, Thunder:In line to win his first MVP, Gilgeous-Alexander is a star today and for the next several seasons. But for that star to shine brighter and brighter, Gilgeous-Alexander has to get the Thunder to the conference finals – at least. That’s the next step in this progression. Gilgeous-Alexander did what he needed to do in an easy first-round sweep against Memphis (27.8 points, 6.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks per game, 40.2% field goal percentage, 25% 3-point percentage), but the Thunder need a more efficient offensive performance from him against the Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic, center, Nuggets: There isn’t a wrong choice between Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokic was tremendous this season (just as good as any of his three previous MVP seasons) and carried the Nuggets to a Game 7 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers with 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. He averaged 24-13.1-10.1 in the series. Jokic’s ability to dominate a game with his scoring, passing and rebounding gives the Nuggets a chance. With a solid roster and Jokic at his best, the Nuggets remain a contender amid the chaos of dismissing the head coach and general manager at the end of the regular season. That’s the potential Jokic unlocks.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets preview

How the Thunder will win: The Thunder have more talent, depth and versatility, they’re better offensively and defensively and it’s all coming together at the right time. They weren’t really tested in the first round so the Thunder need to prove they can win tight games in a series. Nine players (Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe, Alex Caruso and Lu Dort) played at least 20 minutes per game in the first round in a balanced offensive effort.

How the Nuggets will win: The Nuggets shared the second-best road record in the West this season and will need to get one, maybe two games in Oklahoma City to win the series. The Nuggets won once at OKC this season and have the championship experience with Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. Jokic will do what he does, and if he gets enough help, Denver can pull off the upset with interim coach David Adelman, who took over for the fired Malone with three games left in the regular season. The Nuggets, who are not deep, will rely on their top seven players.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets stat

Season series tied at 2.

  • Oct. 24: Thunder 102, Nuggets 87
  • Nov. 6: Nuggets 124, Thunder 122
  • March 9: Thunder 127, Nuggets 103
  • March 10: Nuggets 140, Thunder 127.

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