Indiana Fever host Seattle Storm in pivotal home clash as playoff hopes stay alive
The Indiana Fever (19-18) enter Tuesday’s game in eighth place in the WNBA standings, having dropped six of their last eight amid a spate of injuries. Sydney Colson (left ACL tear), Aari McDonald (broken right foot) and Sophie Cunningham (right MCL tear) are out for the season, and Caitlin Clark (right groin) remains sidelined indefinitely. That has left Indiana thin but still fighting for a postseason berth as the Los Angeles Sparks sit just one game behind them at 17-18.
The Storm (20-18) visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse one game ahead of the Fever in the standings, making this a must-win for Indiana. Fever head coach Stephanie White emphasized the challenge of integrating new pieces while stressing a focus on the moment. “We’re still reintegrating new pieces, but we have to find a way to make it click. One game at a time, control what we can control, and that’s our next opponent—Seattle coming into our place,” White said after Sunday’s 97-84 loss to the Lynx.
Seattle arrives on a three-game winning streak, most recently beating the Washington Mystics 84-82. Nneka Ogwumike starred with 30 points, six rebounds and two assists, including a career-high six 3-pointers, as her team solidified its place in the middle tier of the standings.
Indiana’s path hasn’t been smooth either, dropping back-to-back games to the league-leading Lynx. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 26 points in the 97-84 defeat, and reserve guard Shey Peddy chipped in 16 off the bench after signing a seven-day hardship contract on Aug. 19.
What to know about Tuesday’s matchup
– When and where: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m. ET, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.
– How to watch: CBS Sports Network will televise the game; streaming options include Paramount+, and Fubo TV (free trial available for new subscribers).
– Key players to watch: Kelsey Mitchell (Fever) remains the primary scoring option, with Shey Peddy providing a spark off the bench. For Seattle, Nneka Ogwumike’s sharpshooting will be a critical storyline after her recent multi-dimensional performance.
– Context: Indiana is juggling lineup changes and injuries while chasing a tight playoff race; Seattle is riding momentum and looking to stay in the upper portion of the standings.
Bottom line: If Indiana can weather the personnel losses and ride the late-game contributions from their newer pieces, they can extend their playoff pursuit in a must-win home game. For fans, the matchup promises a competitive showcase as the season’s stretch run heats up.
Additional notes for readers: This game represents a critical shot at keeping pace in a crowded conference race, and fans can follow live updates and postgame analysis on the team’s platforms.