WNBA Indiana Fever

Game Preview: Fever Host Liberty in Final Game Before All-Star Break

Published on July 11, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


The Indiana Fever return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the second consecutive home game Wednesday at Noon ET to take on the New York Liberty before the WNBA All-Star break.

The Fever enter the matchup looking to snap a seven-game losing streak after narrowly falling to the Dallas Wings, 77-76, in a game that featured 13 lead changes and nine times tied. Indiana was led in the scoring column by All-Star rookie center Aliyah Boston, who notched 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting. She was followed by NaLyssa Smith, who recorded 17 points, and All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell, who added 12 points and a team-high four assists. In addition, Erica Wheeler contributed nine points, Lexie Hull pitched in seven points and Grace Berger came off the bench to record a career-high in the scoring column on 2-of-2 shooting to go along with three assists.

Indiana hopes to earn its first win over the Liberty this season after being defeated in New York, 90-73, on May 21. Smith earned a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds in the matchup for Indiana, while Boston contributed 15 points, two assists, and two blocks. Stewart stole the show for New York as she recorded a career-high and New York Liberty franchise record 45 points to go along with 12 rebounds in her home debut with the team.

The Liberty have been on a roll throughout the first half of the season and enters the matchup with Indiana on a three-game win streak. Most recently, New York defeated the Seattle Storm, 80-76, on Saturday. Stewart, who is ranked second in the league in scoring average (23.4 ppg) and first in rebounds (9.8 rpg), netted 25 points as the leading scorer in the matchup. Ionescu, who averages 15.2 points per contest, scored 20 points and dished out eight assists against Seattle. The Liberty guard ranks fourth in the WNBA in three-point field goal percentage shooting 43.9 percent (47-of-107) from the three-point line.

New York ranks first in the WNBA in three-point field goal percentage (38.4 percent), defensive rebounds (28.8 rpg) and assists (24.3 apg).

This Saturday, the Fever will have two representatives taking the floor in Las Vegas in the WNBA All-Star Game in Boston and Mitchell. Boston enters All-Star week leading all 2023 rookies in scoring average (15.0 ppg), rebounds (8.4 rpg), blocked shots (1.4 bpg) and minutes played (30.7 mpg), and continues to lead the league in field goal percentage while shooting 61.9 percent (112-of-181) from the floor.

Mitchell leads the Fever in scoring averaging 16.7 points per contest. In addition, Mitchell nears a top-20 ranking in the WNBA for three-point field goal percentage shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Chosen by All-Star captain A'ja Wilson, Boston was the fifth pick in the All-Star draft, while All-Star reserve Mitchell was chosen by Stewart as the No. 17 pick. In Wednesday's matchup, Indiana will compete against the Liberty's two other All-Stars, Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot, who will play alongside Mitchell on Team Stewart.

Probable Starters

Indiana Fever (5-14)

Guard - Kelsey Mitchell (16.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.9 apg)

Guard - Erica Wheeler (8.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 5.1 apg)

Guard - Maya Caldwell (2.4 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.9 apg)

Forward - Victoria Vivians (4.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.4 apg)

Center - Aliyah Boston (15.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.37 bpg)

New York Liberty (13-4)

Guard - Sabrina Ionescu (15.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.1 apg)

Guard - Courtney Vandersloot (11.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 8.5 apg)

Guard - Betnijah Laney (10.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.1 apg)

Forward - Jonquel Jones (10.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg)

Forward - Breanna Stewart (23.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.5 bpg)

Game Status Report

Indiana: Lexie Hull - out (broken nose), NaLyssa Smith - out (left foot stress fracture)

New York: TBA

Check out the Indiana Fever Statistics

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