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Indiana Fever

Game Preview: Fever Battle Sky for Final Time this Season

July 7, 2022 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


The Indiana Fever will take on the defending champion Chicago Sky at home to close out the regular season series on Thursday night before heading to the WNBA All-Star break. This year's series is tied 1-1, with Chicago taking the first game on May 24 and Indiana taking the second game on June 19 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

In their first matchup, the Sky dragged out a 95-90 win. Eleven players scored in double figures. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell led all players with 25 points. Forward Victoria Vivians finished with 17 points and seven rebounds and rookie guard Destanni Henderson added 13 points off the bench. Chicago was led by forward Candace Parker, who ended with 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

In the second matchup, the Fever were able to overcome a 13-point halftime deficit and win a close 89-87 game. Rookie forward NaLyssa Smith led the team with what was a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds. Indiana outscored Chicago 35-20 in the third quarter and was able to withstand a late surge by the Sky in the fourth - including three missed shots within a span of three seconds - to secure the victory. Chicago guard Kahleah Copper scored a career-high 28 points and center Azurá Stevens started in place for the injured Candace Parker.

Injury Report

Fever- QUESTIONABLE - Victoria Vivians (Right Shoulder) DOUBTFUL - Queen Egbo (Health and Safety Protocols), Lexie Hull (Right Wrist)

Sky- No injuries.

Probable Starters

Indiana Fever (5-18)

F - Victoria Vivians (11.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 27.5 mpg)

F - NaLyssa Smith (12.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 30.2 mpg)

F - Emma Cannon (5.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 10.1 mpg)

G - Kelsey Mitchell (18.6 ppg, 4.0 apg, 32.8 mpg)

G - Danielle Robinson (7.6 ppg, 3.8 apg, 23.3 mpg)

Chicago Sky (15-6)

F - Kahleah Copper (14.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 28.4 mpg)

F - Emma Meesseman (12.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 29.0 mpg)

C - Candace Parker (13.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 28.8 mpg)

G - Allie Quigley (10.7 ppg, 2.8 apg, 26.6 mpg)

G - Courtney Vandersloot (11.5 ppg, 6.4 apg, 26.6 mpg)

Extra Game Notes

Indiana is 37-24 all-time versus Chicago, which is the most losses Chicago has against a single franchise.

The point differential for the two games against Chicago this season is seven points.

The matchup will feature two of the top 10 rebounders in the league. Chicago's Candace Parker (8.6 rpg) ranks fourth while Indiana's NaLyssa Smith (8.0 rpg) ranks seventh.

Indiana has three players who rank in the top 10 in offensive rebounding. Emily Engstler leads the league with 2.7 per game, NaLyssa Smith ranks sixth with 2.1, and Queen Egbo is tied for ninth with 2.0.

Indiana's Tiffany Mitchell is one steal away from 100 career steals.

Indiana's NaLyssa Smith is five field goals away from 100 career field goals made.

Check out the Indiana Fever Statistics

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