Nobody stated it was going to be simple and nobody anticipated it to be, however, nonetheless, a 21-point loss to the Connecticut Solar in Tuesday’s season opener was painful for the Indiana Fever.
DiJonai Carrington did a spectacular job guarding Caitlin Clark, who regardless of lacking two-thirds of her photographs nonetheless ended up with 20 factors. The query must be: Why didn’t different gamers step up?
With a lot concentrate on Clark, she was on the lookout for her teammates, which explains why she ended up with 10 turnovers. The participant that almost all benefited from her presence and play was NaLyssa Smith, who had 13 factors and 9 rebounds. Aliyah Boston, nonetheless, had 4 factors and 6 rebounds. Erica Wheeler made 100% of her photographs, however she solely had three makes an attempt all through the entire recreation. Kelsey Mitchell had eight factors in her first recreation again. Twelve days after the coaching camp started, the Fever have but to study to belief one another as they need to—it’s going to merely take extra time.
Nonetheless, the New York Liberty, the workforce that eradicated the Solar from final 12 months’s playoffs, won’t be the most effective opponent for starting to construct that belief. On Thursday, the Fever welcome the Liberty to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the highly-anticipated dwelling opener (7 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video).
Of their first recreation of the season, the Liberty’s one-two punch of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggled with their photographs in opposition to the rebuilding Washington Mystics. Ionescu was 4-for-12 from the ground, however contributed to the 85-80 win with seven rebounds and eight dimes. Stewart was 3-for-9 and had eight boards. The Liberty are so good as a result of they aren’t compelled to depend on their two stars alone to win. Jonquel Jones, the 2021 WNBA MVP, delivered a classic efficiency, scoring 25 factors and grabbing eight boards. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton added 20 factors because the Liberty received the surprisingly robust recreation.
What can we count on from Thursday’s recreation?
Positively a whole lot of capturing. The fan in me hopes for the primary occasion of Clark vs. Ionescu, however whereas the Fever are allowed to present the ball to their rookie and discover ways to work issues out, the Liberty need to win now and make a press release. That’s why we are going to doubtless see Laney-Hamilton guarding Clark in lengthy stretches. However this may open up the door for Smith to attain. So whereas Clark and Ionescu could not shine right this moment, the sport will undoubtedly be thrilling to look at because of all people else concerned.
Recreation info
Indiana Fever (0-1) vs. New York Liberty (1-0)
When: Thursday, Might 16 at 7 p.m. ET
The place: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana
How one can watch: Amazon Prime Video
Fever damage report: None
Liberty damage report: None
