Subscribe
Follow Us
The Indiana Fever received some unfortunate news ahead of their upcoming Thursday matchup against the Seattle Storm. Forward Temi Fagbenle will be sidelined for at least two to three weeks due to a left foot injury sustained during Tuesday's 88-82 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, the team announced Wednesday. Additionally, guard Erica Wheeler will miss Thursday's game due to personal reasons.
Fagbenle, playing in her first WNBA season since 2019, had just been inserted into the starting lineup two games ago and has been averaging 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 23.1 minutes per game, per Alexa Philippou of ESPN. Her defensive skills and developing chemistry with rookie Caitlin Clark have been huge for the team, especially in their transition offense.
Wheeler, who initially stepped in as a starter while Kelsey Mitchell recovered from an ankle injury, has been averaging 3.5 points and 2.1 assists in 16.3 minutes per game. The Fever are currently 1-7 and ranked 11th in the standings. The minus-15.6 net rating ranks worst in the league.
The Fever’s latest game vs. Los Angeles
In their recent clash with the Sparks May 28, the Fever faced a tough battle. The game, held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, ended in a 88-82 loss for Indiana despite a career-high performance from Clark, who scored 30 points, had three blocks, three steals and six assists.
Article Continues Below
The Fever started slowly, scoring only 15 points in the first quarter, a stark contrast to their 28-point first quarter in their previous game against the Las Vegas Aces. Clark's defensive efforts, including a notable block on Sparks' 6-foot-7 center Li Yueru, were highlights of the first half. Clark also hit a crucial 28-footer in transition, reducing the Fever's deficit to four points early in the second quarter.
Despite these efforts, the Fever struggled to contain the Sparks' offense in the second half. Sparks guards Kia Nurse and Aari McDonald found their rhythm, making eight three-pointers between them and combining for 43 points. This scoring surge began midway through the third quarter, negating the Fever's earlier 9-0 run which had given them a brief lead.
The Fever's defensive lapses were evident as they allowed the Sparks to score 29 points in the fourth quarter. Head coach Christie Sides acknowledged the breakdown in defensive schemes, citing poor execution and late reactions as key issues. The Sparks' efficiency from beyond the arc, shooting 14-for-23 (60.9%), contrasted sharply with the Fever's 10-for-30 performance.
“What we were doing early to them defensively in our schemes, we stopped doing in the second half,” Sides said after the game, as reported by Matthew Bryne of ClutchPoints. “I mean, 60% from the three you don't give yourself a chance… we were going under some of the screens that were supposed to be going over… we were gambling, getting out of position and then late… so just a breakdown of our defense.”
Despite Clark's stellar performance, her seven turnovers were costly. Aliyah Boston added 17 points, including two three-pointers, her first of the season. The Fever, who have played eight games in 15 days, now look ahead to their next game against the Storm Thursday. The team will need to rely on their remaining players to step up and fill the gaps left by Fagbenle and Wheeler. The upcoming game presents a tough challenge, but it's also an opportunity for other players to make their mark.
