Diana Taurasi on Indiana Fever’s playoff potential with Caitlin Clark
Diana Taurasi knows what it’s like to play in the WNBA playoffs, and why we should keep an eye on the Fever, even with an injured Caitlin Clark.
Sports Seriously
The Indiana Fever won the first three matchups of the season against Dallas, but the Wings were able to steal the fourth and final game between the two teams on Tuesday to avoid a regular-season sweep.
The Wings staved off the Fever’s comeback to win 81-80 on Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Dallas had a 17-point lead over Indiana with 6:38 remaining in the contest, but the Fever went on a 19-3 run to come within one point of the Wings with a chance to win it. Indiana had the final possession of the game, but the Fever struggled to find a good look at the basket. Kelsey Mitchell ultimately missed a corner 3 as time expired.
It was a total team effort for the Wings, who saw forward Maddy Siegrist (22 points) and center Li Yueru (20 points) each turn in career highs on Tuesday. Paige Bueckers added 16 points and eight assists in the win.
It was a chaotic ending in Indiana. The Fever went on an 11-0 run to cut the Wings’ lead to six points with 3:25 remaining in the contest. Mitchell was fouled by Dallas’ Grace Berger on a 3-point attempt with 2:46 remaining, sending Mitchell to the free throw line, where she knocked down two of three free throws to bring the Fever within four points of the Wings. Officials reviewed Berger for a reckless closeout, but ruled it a common foul.
Natasha Howard hit a floater with 1:44 remaining to cut the Wings’ lead to one possession and Mitchell hit a tough layup to come within one point of Dallas with 33.4 seconds remaining, at 81-80. Bueckers missed a look at the basket, giving the Fever a chance to win the game, but Mitchell struggled to get a shot up.
Fever head coach Stephanie White used the team’s final reset timeout with 1.7 seconds remaining. Lexie Hull inbounded the ball to Mitchell in the corner, but her shot hit the top of the backboard as time expired.
Mitchell finished with a game-high 24 points in the loss. Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston each added 14 points, while Howard picked up her eighth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights for Tuesday’s game between the Fever and Wings:
The Wings went on a 19-0 run in the third quarter to take a 12-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Wings forward Maddy Siegrist has a game-high 20 points, which marks a season-high, shooting 8-of-12 from the field and 3-of-5 from the 3-point line. Paige Bueckers has added 12 points and seven assists.
“We gave up some second-chance points. I think that’s the biggest thing. They are capitalizing on that,” said Aliyah Boston, who has a team-high 14 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
When asked what the Fever need to do better in the fourth quarter, Boston simply said, “We just got to hit shots.”
Kelsey Mitchell has added 12 points and five rebounds.
The Dallas Wings led by as many as 14 points in the second quarter, but the Fever went on a series of runs to erase the deficit and even it up at halftime, 42-42.
The Fever started to see some shots go down in the second quarter and outscored the Wings 27-19 in the period. Indiana improved to 47.1% from the field and 38.5% from the 3-point line. Kelsey Mitchell is the first Fever player to score double-digits, followed by nine points from Sophie Cunningham and eight from Aliyah Boston.
Wings forward Maddy Siegrist leads the Wings with 12 points in 15 minutes in her first start since June 6. Siegrist, who missed 18 games this season due to a knee injury, is 5-of-9 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3. The Wings are collectively shooting 43.2% from the field and 31.3% from the 3-point line. Paige Bueckers appeared to be shaken up and grabbed at her hip area after Indiana’s Lexie Hull landed on her on a rebound attempt, but Bueckers stayed in the game.
The Wings have a 12-point lead over the Fever after one quarter, led by Dallas’ Li Yueru, who has eight points off the bench. Paige Bueckers and Maddy Siegrist each added five points apiece.
The Fever, meanwhile, have struggled to find any offensive rhythm so far. Indiana is shooting 26.7% from the field and 25.0% from the 3-point line. To make matters worse, the Fever have given up six turnovers, which the Wings converted to 10 points. Chloe Bibby has a team-high six points off the bench.
The Wings will be without Arike Ogunbowale after she was ruled out ahead of the Wings’ matchup against the Fever on Sunday. Ogunbowale was initially listed as questionable with a right knee injury entering Tuesday, before being downgraded to out.
What time is Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings?
The Indiana Fever will host the Dallas Wings at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 12 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings: TV, stream
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)
Stream the Fever vs. Wings on Fubo
Is Caitlin Clark playing today? Injury update
Clark was ruled out of the Indiana Fever’s game against the Wings in Indianapolis on Tuesday with a right groin injury. There is no timetable for Clark’s return. Clark’s full injury timeline here.
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