“Sophie Cunningham would have been so helpful for the Indiana Fever,” national analyst Rachel DeMita exclaimed while reviewing the Indiana Fever’s first loss of the season against the Atlanta Dream. Cunningham was missing until their third game with an ankle sprain she sustained during preseason. She was itching to be back on court as she saw Fever get absolutely dominated by Brittney Griner and Co.
The injury seemed like a minor one initially, as she was seen taking part in the practice but the management decided to not risk her. She came back in the rematch and contributed 9 points in their last game. With the defending champions, the New York Liberty, on the horizon, they will need all hands on deck.
Caitlin Clark struggled in their last game against the Dream, missing all five of her 3-point attempts, breaking her streak of games with at least one successful 3-pointer. Even without her long-range shooting, she had a stat line of 11 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. It was not only her disappointing performance that was the talk after the game; she suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter itself. She lay on the floor in pain for a while, and needed some help getting back to the bench. Eventually she was back in the game and finished it but that injury could sting as time goes on. Will she start in their game against the Liberty?
Indiana Fever injury report
For the first time this season, the Indiana Fever have a clean bench and have all their players available. Caitlin Clark’s ankle injury seems to be nothing and, fortunately, is not on the injury list. “I was good,” she said after that last game “They were like, ‘Do you want to go in the back?’ I’m like, ‘No, please just tape right here, let’s go. We’ve got to keep going.’” So Clark will mark her presence in the starting lineup.
Indiana Fever and New York Liberty: Projected starters
Indiana Fever (2-1)
Kelsey Mitchell
Caitlin Clark
DeWanna Bonner
Natasha Howard
Aliyah Boston
New York Liberty (2-0)
Sabrina Ionescu
Natasha Cloud
Breanna Stewart
Leonie Fiebich
Jonquel Jones
What to expect: Preview & prediction
Liberty has started their season in hot form with a 2-0 record so far. They crushed the Chicago Sky in the last game and had dominated A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces. On the other hand, the Fever have lost one game and have looked scratchier in comparison. Natasha Cloud on the attack and Jonquel Jones on the defense will be difficult for Fever to contend with. Aliyah Boston vs. Jonquel Jones will be a tasty matchup in the front court and could possibly decide the game.
Their defense has been especially brittle as they stood last in the defense rating in 2024. They have improved since then but as we saw in the Dream game, there are still chinks in the armor. Caitlin Clark will hope that that last game was just a blip and is back to her best. Even without her three-pointers, her creativity is something that drives this team. Natasha Howard was back in form with 26 points in the last game.
Her comeback was especially important after that disastrous game in that loss in which she missed what could have been a game-winning shot. Cunningham could be more involved in this game, providing the Fever with another dimension against a pretty well-rounded team. This early-season showdown may not define either team’s year, but it could set the tone. For the Liberty, it’s a chance to reinforce their contender status. For the Fever, it’s a chance to show they’re no longer just a rebuilding story —they’re ready to compete.
The Liberty’s experience gives them the edge, but if Clark and the Fever’s defense show up, this could be a closer fight than expected.
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