The Indiana Fever (17-16) are set to begin a six-game homestand as they face off against the struggling Los Angeles Sparks (7-25), who sit at the bottom of the WNBA standings.
Since the Olympic break, the Fever have been on a hot streak, winning six out of their last seven games and boasting an impressive 8-2 record over their past ten games, placing them alongside championship teams such as New York and Minnesota.
Indiana features the league’s top backcourt combination, with Kelsey Mitchell averaging 19.0 points per game for the season (26.7 since the break) and Caitlin Clark contributing 18.7 points (24.6 in the same timeframe). Additionally, All-Star Aliyah Boston brings 13.4 points and 9.0 rebounds, while NaLyssa Smith adds 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
On the other hand, the Sparks have faced difficulties, losing eight of their last nine games. Their sole victory during this stretch was against the New York Liberty, the top team in the league. Dearica Hamby leads Los Angeles with an average of 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, followed by rookie Rickea Jackson with 12.6 points and Azura Stevens contributing 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds.
The Fever game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The matchup can be viewed on CBS Sports Network and WALV in Indianapolis, with streaming options available through Fubo.
In the race for the playoffs, the Fever currently hold sixth place in the 12-team league, just one game ahead of the Phoenix Mercury and 2.5 games behind the Seattle Storm, one of the teams that has already secured a playoff spot. A total of eight teams will make the WNBA playoffs this season.
As of September 1, the WNBA standings are as follows:
– New York 27-6 (clinched playoff spot)
– Connecticut 24-8 (clinched playoff spot)
– Minnesota 24-9 (clinched playoff spot)
– Las Vegas 20-12 (clinched playoff spot)
– Seattle 19-13 (clinched playoff spot)
– Indiana Fever 17-16
– Phoenix Mercury 16-17
– Chicago 11-21
– Atlanta 11-21
– Washington 9-23
– Dallas 9-23
– Los Angeles Sparks 7-25
Caitlin Clark’s impressive stats with the Fever through September 1 (across 33 games) include an average of 18.7 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.6 rebounds, along with a 34.1% shooting percentage from three-point range and an impressive 89.7% from the free-throw line.
Fans can purchase Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark merchandise, including jerseys and apparel, through various outlets. Tickets for upcoming Fever games are also available for purchase.