LAS VEGAS (WISH) — The Indiana Fever is getting ready to play inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse for first time since June 19.

The Fever (8-13) hosts the New York Liberty (17-3) on Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT.

Indiana is coming off a 19-point loss in Las Vegas Tuesday night against the Aces (11-6).

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell scored a team-high 23 points in the loss. She was 9-of-20 from the field, which includes 5-of-10 from three-point range.

Her performance from behind-the-arc helped her become the 19th player in WNBA history to have 500 career made three-point field goals.

Mitchell has scored in double-digits in each of her last eight games. She leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.6 points per game.

Prior to the Tuesday’s game, Mitchell was announced as a WNBA All-Star, along with Fever teammates Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.

“It’s a really, really big thing for our franchise, but I think, more importantly, kind of just shows where we are as players and where we aspire to be individually,” Mitchell said after Tuesday’s game. “I think any great player and great competitor has an “all-star” somewhere down their list.”

It’s the second season in Fever history that the team is sending three players to a WNBA All-Star Game. The only other time that’s happened was in 2007, when Tamika Catchings, Anna DeForge and Tammy Sutton-Brown went to the All-Star Game.

“To have three All-Stars for the Indiana Fever this year, I’m so proud for them,” Fever head coach Christie Sides said. “So proud for our organization. These guys deserve it. They’ve been working hard, keep getting better. Just shows the future and what that looks like for the Indiana Fever.”

The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game is set for July 20 in Phoenix, Ariz. The game will be played inside Footprint Center.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever star rookie Caitlin Clark is officially a WNBA All-Star. Clark, 22, was named an All-Star on Tuesday night. She is one of the 12 players that will make up Team WNBA in Phoenix later this month.

She is averaging 16.1 points and 7.0 assists per game. After a slow start, the Fever are 8-13 and sit in ninth place in the standings. Clark’s growth has been an important part of Indiana’s turnaround, including their four-game winning streak in the middle of June.

Clark’s skill and popularity continue to draw big crowds. Over 20,000 fans attended the Fever’s game against the Las Vegas Aces Tuesday night, and every Indiana home game has drawn at least 15,000 fans this season according to Across The Timeline. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has been among those crowds more than once.

The number of people who show up to watch Clark alone puts pressure on her to play well, as does her own perfectionist personality. She wants to be the best, and some fans expected the Fever to be great this season.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James commented on Clark’s reality and how she can best manage it this season on the Mind The Game podcast. “My advice to Caitlin… Be a horse, Kentucky Derby. Put your blinders on. Go to work. Show up to work,” James began. “Punch your clock in. Prepare yourself. Work on your game, work on your craft. Keep your mouth shut and learn from the vets.”

James went on to celebrate that the WNBA is now using charter flights to get teams around and said that Clark will do a lot for the league. He is rooting for the Indiana rookie guard.

“I hope she (Caitlin) kills. I hope Aliyah Boston does amazing,” James said. Boston was the Fever’s first overall pick in 2023. “She’s a great talent. She seems like a great gal,” James added of Clark.

Clark, who is still just a rookie, is 17th in the WNBA in points per game. The All-Star guard ranks third in assists per night. She has been terrific and led the league in fan voting for the All-Star teams — Boston finished second.

James isn’t the only NBA star who has recently shared his opinions on Clark’s performance and stature. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant commented on the Iowa product and her popularity in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

“Caitlin’s just got to continue to show up every day. The WNBA is doing a great job of showcasing her. I see her games on ESPN every other day,” Durant said after noting that Clark will be on Team USA for the Olympics at some point in her career despite being left off of the 2024 squad.

“If she continues to keep getting better as a player, her production on the court gets better, then the league will grow,” Durant added.

Indiana started the season 1-8 and had a brutally challenging schedule. Since then, Clark, Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell have guided the team to a 7-5 mark. All three of those players will be All-Stars this season.

“I think it’s great when NBA players come [to games]. I think it’s great that they’re showing their support because I think Women’s Basketball is on the rise,” Boston said last week. “They want to see great basketball, and I think coming and watching us is a great example of that. It’s great.”

Clark, Boston, and the Fever next play on June 6 when they host the New York Liberty.

(WPTA) – Get ready for dazzling Fourth of July displays!

Communities all across northeast Indiana have planned fireworks shows to celebrate Independence Day.

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Here’s a look at the times, dates, and locations where you can catch a show in 21Country:

• Albion fireworks display
  • Held at the Central Noble Schools Albion campus at dusk on Wednesday, July 3.
• Angola’s July 4th Celebration
  • A parade will be held in downtown Angola starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, followed by a hotdog giveaway, a skydiving display, and a petting zoo.
  • Fireworks will then be lit at dusk at Commons Park.
• Berne – Red, White, & Blue Festival
• Bluffton fireworks display
  • Fireworks will be lit from the WEG parking lot, just north of the Boys & Girls Club, at 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4.
• Columbia City fireworks display
  • Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Wednesday, July 3, at Morsches Park. Food vendors will be at the park starting at 5 p.m., and bounce houses will open at 6 p.m.  
• Decatur fireworks display
  • Fireworks will be lit at dusk at Riverside Park on Thursday, July 4. Before the big show, attendees can stop by for food from 5-9 p.m. and live music starting at 7 p.m. At 9 p.m., the American Legion Color Guard will honor fallen veterans with a ceremony. 
• Fort Wayne fireworks display
  • Fireworks are set to begin around 10 p.m., lit from the top of the Indiana Michigan Power building downtown on Thursday, July 4.
• Garrett Heritage Days
  • The fireworks display begins at 10 p.m. at Eastside Park on Thursday, July 4. A vendor fair, chalk walk, petting zoo, talent show, and many more events are planned throughout the day.
• Huntington fireworks display
  • Fireworks will be set off at dusk on Thursday, July 4, at the Huntington University cross-country trail
• Kendallville fireworks display
  • Fireworks will be lit from Bixler Lake on Thursday, July 4, at dusk
• Marion fireworks display
  • Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Saturday, July 6, at Silvershell Beach
• Markle fireworks display
  • Activities, live music, and food trucks start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, at the Markle Fish & Game Club Park.
  • Fireworks will be lit at dusk.
• Nappanee Independence Day celebration
  • A parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at Nappanee Elementary School on Thursday, July 4. Fireworks will be launched from the Sledding Hill after sunset at Thompson Drive.
• New Haven fireworks display
  • Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Wednesday, July 3, at Lifeway Church, 7722 Moeller Rd. Free hotdogs, popcorn, and games will be offered starting at 7 p.m.
• Ossian fireworks display
  • Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Friday, July 5, at Archbold Wilson Park. Starting at 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy music, food trucks, beverages, and family-friendly activities before the show.
• Roanoke Fourth of July Fireworks and Family Fun Day 
  • Kids activities and music start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, at Roanoke Park. Fireworks will then be set off at dusk.
• Rome City (Sylvan Lake) fireworks
  • Fireworks will be lit on Saturday, July 6, at dusk from Sylvan Lake.
• Spencerville – Autism Awareness Firework Show
  • The event, planned for Saturday, July 6, at 7043 State Road 1, features a toned-down fireworks display for a more sensory-friendly experience. Fireworks will be lit at dusk.
• Warren fireworks display
  • Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Sunday, July 7, at Warren Tower Park. 
• Wawasee fireworks display
  • The fireworks display will begin at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, at Lake Wawasee.
• Wolcottville – Big Long Lake 
  • Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Saturday, July 6, from Big Long Lake.

Do you have a fireworks display to add to the list? Send an email to jazlynn.bebout@gray.tv with information.

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