Will they or received’t they?
It’s been eight years and counting—the longest present streak within the WNBA—for the reason that Indiana Fever final appeared within the playoffs. The one participant on the roster who remembers the 2016 house playoff loss to the Phoenix Mercury is Erica Wheeler (and she or he’s been on a number of groups since then). The Fever then have been coached by Stephanie White, who made a return to Indiana with the Connecticut Solar this Wednesday. The Solar are among the many championship favorites, whereas the Fever are preventing for the playoffs. Within the remaining sport between the 2 groups this common season, the Fever acquired their first win in opposition to the Solar, not solely this 12 months however since July 1, 2021.
White, who misplaced her first sport to the Fever as head coach of the Solar, praised Indiana’s progress and development in her postgame press convention, noting that, “All people on the ground understands how, when and the place Caitlin Clark can get them the ball.” The very best-passing rookie in WNBA historical past has been instrumental in her staff’s transformation and she or he was rightfully named Jap Convention Participant of the Week after averaging 25 factors, 5 rebounds and 9 assists per sport in opposition to the Mercury, Seattle Storm and Minnesota Lynx.
The Fever misplaced to the Lynx, however bounced again in opposition to the Atlanta Dream and stunned the Solar. Indiana isn’t on the degree of Minnesota—to be honest, for the reason that Olympics, no one’s been shut—and Atlanta has been inside their attain beforehand, however profitable in opposition to Connecticut is a giant deal. The Fever opened up the sport robust, nonetheless, the Solar caught as much as them, which reveals that Clark and firm want extra time, extra expertise and extra minutes collectively to learn to maintain their cool in key moments.
The enhancements wouldn’t be potential if it wasn’t for the participant who supposedly was a foul match subsequent to Clark: Kelsey Mitchell. She’s at present third within the league in clutch factors and set the franchise document for consecutive video games of greater than 20 factors with 5. Temi Fagbenle is again and she or he’s enjoying important minutes, contributing to the staff’s success. Damiris Dantas’ minutes went down within the final three video games, and understandably so. Due to head coach Christie Sides’ desire of huge lineups, Dantas stays within the rotation, not like Kristy Wallace, who received bronze on the Paris Olympics with the Australian Opals, however has performed only one minute since her return from the competitors.
What’s subsequent for the Fever?
Within the subsequent seven days, the Fever will play 4 occasions.
On Friday, Aug. 30, they’ll face the Chicago Sky in one other entry of all people’s favourite WNBA rivalry. From Chicago, the Fever will head to Dallas and on Sunday to play in opposition to the Wings. On Wednesday, they’ll host the Sparks, and subsequent Friday, the Lynx will come to Indiana, with the Fever trying to avenge their final loss. If the Fever can catch hearth whereas the Lynx burn out a bit, perhaps they’ll stand an opportunity.
