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WNBA Indiana Fever

Game Preview: Fever Meet Mercury at Home Sunday Afternoon

June 10, 2023 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


The Indiana Fever (2-5) return home Sunday afternoon following a two-game road stretch to take on the Phoenix Mercury.

The Fever enter the game coming off of a 71-69 win in Minnesota from Friday night. Indiana was fueled by forward NaLyssa Smith and center Aliyah Boston both recorded double-doubles and was only the second time in franchise history two Fever players contributed double-doubles in two consecutive games, dating back to August 6 and August 7 in 2002. Smith matched her team-high 12 rebounds with 12 points, while Boston contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds on the night.

Boston enters Sunday still leading the WNBA in field goal percentage shooting 65.6 percent (42-of-64) from the floor, followed by the Mercury's own Brittney Griner shooting 64.0 percent (48-of-75). Boston has consistently led all 2023 rookies in scoring average (15.0 ppg), rebounds (7.1 rpg), and minutes played (28.9 mpg) and as of Friday, now leads all 2023 rookies in blocks (1.4 bpg).

Smith has contributed four double-doubles already this season, leads the team in rebounding (10.6 rpg) and is one of the five players in the WNBA averaging at least 10 rebounds per game.

Veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell led the team in scoring against Minnesota as she notched 22 points on the night, contributing to her team-leading scoring average (17.4 ppg). Coming into Sunday's matchup, Mitchell will look to surpass Katie Douglas (2,564 career points) and claim possession of second place for most-points in franchise history as she currently sits at 2,550 points in a Fever uniform. She is also tied with Douglas for fourth place all-time for most assists in franchise history with 470.

Off the bench, Indiana has felt a consistent presence from Kristy Wallace, who is averaging 8.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Rookie guard Grace Berger has seen playing time increase recently and distributed a team-high four assists and four points against Minnesota on Friday.

Phoenix (1-5) visits Indiana in the midst of a three-game losing streak, most recently falling to the Wings in Dallas on Wednesday, 84-79, and Friday, 90-77.

Griner leads the Mercury in scoring (21.7 ppg), rebounding (7.3), and blocks (2.83 bpg) in her 10th WNBA season.

Diana Taurasi has also provided impressive performances in her 19th season with Phoenix, averaging 17.3 points, while leading the team in assists at 6.3 per game. Two other Mercury players are averaging double figures in the scoring column to begin the season: Sug Sutton (11.5 ppg) and Sophie Cunningham (11.4 ppg).

Over the offseason, Phoenix added former Fever coach and player Tully Bevilaqua to their coaching staff as an assistant coach.

Probable Starters

Indiana Fever

Center - Aliyah Boston (15.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg)

Forward - NaLyssa Smith (13.0 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.3 apg)

Guard - Lexie Hull (3.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.0 apg)

Guard - Kelsey Mitchell (17.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.4 apg)

Guard - Erica Wheeler (8.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 4.9 apg)

Phoenix Mercury

Guard - Sophie Cunningham (11.4 rpg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 apg)

Guard - Diana Taurasi (17.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.3 apg)

Guard - Sug Sutton (11.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.2 apg)

Forward - Michaela Onyenwere (6.7 rpg, 3.8 rpg, 1.7 apg)

Center - Brittney Griner (21.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.8 bpg)

Game Status Report

Indiana: None

Phoenix: TBA

Check out the Indiana Fever Statistics



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 10, 2023


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