WNBA Indiana Fever

Game Preview: Fever Face Mystics for the Second Time this Season on Friday Night

Published on July 6, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


The Indiana Fever look to halt a five-game losing skid taking on the Washington Mystics in Washington, D.C. at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

Indiana was victorious in securing its first home win of 2023 after taking down the Mystics, 87-66, in the last matchup between the two teams at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 13. Washington was held to a season-low offensive output of 66 points, which is also the lowest opponent output allowed by Indiana all season. The Fever also outrebounded Washington, 46-27.

The Fever were guided by All-Star center Aliyah Boston in the win as she led all scorers in the matchup by pouring in 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting. In addition, Boston recorded career-high totals of 14 rebounds and six assists, while also adding one block and one steal. Indiana's second All-Star, Kelsey Mitchell, contributed 19 points, while Kristy Wallace, NaLyssa Smith and Lexie Hull pitched in eight points for the win.

For Washington, Elena Delle Donne recorded a team-high 17 points in the matchup and was followed by Brittney Sykes with nine points, as well as Ariel Atkins and Natasha Cloud with seven points each.

The Mitchell-Smith-Boston trio continues to lead the Fever this season. Mitchell, who was named to the All-Star Game on July 1, leads all Indiana players in the scoring column as she averages 16.9 points per contest, ranking her near the top ten in the league in scoring average. Smith, who is tied for the WNBA lead in rebounding as one of the two players averaging at least ten rebounds per game, averages 15.4 points per contest.

Boston has spent the majority of the season leading the league in field goal percentage as she has shot 63.4 percent (102-of-161) from the court through her first 17 career games. She has earned two consecutive Rookie of the Month nods in both May and June by leading all 2023 rookies in scoring average (15.0 ppg), rebounds (8.5 rpg), blocked shots (1.5 bpg) and minutes played (30.5 mpg).

Friday's matchup will also be center Amanda Zahui B's first game playing in a Fever uniform. Zahui B was acquired in a trade with the Washington Mystics in which the Fever agreed to trade forward Queen Egbo. In 12 games with the Mystics this season, Zahui B averaged 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest in 7.8 minutes per game. On the opposite end of the floor, Egbo will also play in her first game with Washington after averaging 2.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in her 16 games with the Fever this season.

Indiana enters the matchup after being defeated in Minnesota by the Lynx on Wednesday night, 90-83. Boston was again the leading scorer of the matchup as she recorded 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots. Smith offered her support on both ends of the floor as she recorded her ninth double-double of the season, notching 18 points and 11 rebounds. Lexie Hull contributed four of Indiana's season-high 10 steals on the night, while Erica Wheeler dished out a team-high seven assists.

Washington will take on Indiana five days after falling to the Dallas Wings, 89-72. Atkins and Sykes led the way recording 20 and 15 points respectively. Tianna Hawkins contributed eight points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the loss.

The seven-time All-Star Delle Donne has been leading Washington in scoring this season averaging 19.5 points per contest to go along with 6.3 rebounds per game. Her 19.5 points per game is ninth in the WNBA in scoring average, while also ranking second in the league in free throw percentage shooting at 96.2 percent (51-of-53) from the charity stripe.

Delle Donne is supported by Atkins who averages 12.2 points and 1.2 steals per contest as well as Sykes and Cloud who average 11.2 and 11.0 points respectively. Sykes enters the matchup ranked second in steals in the WNBA, as she has recorded 32 steals this season and averages 2.0 per game. Shakira Austin, who has already been ruled out of Friday's game, had been averaging 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Probable Starters

Indiana Fever (5-12)

Guard - Kelsey Mitchell (16.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.9 apg)

Guard - Erica Wheeler (8.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 5.1 apg)

Guard - Lexie Hull (4.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.12 spg)

Forward - NaLyssa Smith (15.4 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.4 apg)

Center - Aliyah Boston (15.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg)

Washington Mystics (9-7)

Guard - Brittney Sykes (11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.0 spg)

Guard - Ariel Atkins (12.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.6 apg)

Guard - Natasha Cloud (11.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 6.1 apg)

Forward - Tianna Hawkins (5.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.0 apg)

Forward - Elena Delle Donne (19.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.6 apg)

Game Status Report

Indiana: Erica Wheeler - probable (right groin strain)

Washington: TBA

Check out the Indiana Fever Statistics

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