The Indiana Fever will face off against the Washington Mystics on Thursday, September 19, at Capital One Arena, with the game set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action on WTHR Channel 13 and Prime Video.
The Fever (20-19) will start with Kelsey Mitchell, who averages 19.6 points per game, Caitlin Clark (19.5 ppg), Lexie Hull (5.6 ppg), Aliyah Boston (14.1 ppg), and NaLyssa Smith (10.4 ppg). The Mystics (13-26) are expected to feature Ariel Atkins (14.9 ppg), Julie Vanloo (7.5 ppg), Stefanie Dolson (9.7 ppg), Emily Engstler (5.8 ppg), and Brittney Sykes (12.2 ppg).
In terms of injuries, Indiana reports no players out, while Washington will be missing Shakira Austin (left ankle) and Aaliyah Edwards (right ankle).
This game marks the conclusion of the regular season for the Fever, who have secured a spot in the WNBA Playoffs for the first time since 2016. Indiana holds a 2-1 advantage in the regular season series against Washington, with their most recent encounter ending in an 89-84 victory for the Mystics on July 10.
The Fever are looking to build on their momentum following a thrilling 110-109 win over the Dallas Wings last Sunday, which solidified their position as the No. 6 seed in the upcoming playoffs. Meanwhile, Washington is still vying for the final playoff spot after a loss to the top-seeded New York Liberty on Tuesday, making this game critical for their postseason hopes. The Mystics need a win against the Fever while also relying on favorable outcomes in other games to have a chance at clinching the eighth seed.
In their previous encounters, Indiana has consistently outperformed Washington in key areas, including scoring in the paint and fast break points. Notably, Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark have been pivotal for the Fever, along with NaLyssa Smith, all scoring in double digits across all matchups. Washington’s strength has come from contributions off the bench, as they have outscored Indiana in bench points in their prior games.
As both teams head into this crucial matchup, the Fever aim to solidify their playoff positioning while the Mystics make a last-ditch effort to secure a playoff berth.