Indiana
Last time Fever made playoffs, Caitlin Clark was a freshman… in high school. They’re closing in.
Caitlin Clark avoids serious injury with ankle tweak vs. Atlanta Dream
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark tweaked her ankle in Monday’s win over Atlanta, but avoided serious injury.
ATLANTA — On Monday night, Indiana accomplished a feat it hadn’t sniffed since Fever legend Tamika Catchings hung up her sneakers in 2016: It won more than 13 games in a single season.
Indiana’s 14 wins this season are the most since the Fever’s 2016 squad went 17-17. Only Fever guard Erica Wheeler was on the Fever that season, completing her first stint with the franchise. Other than that, it’s a completely different team — different players, coaches and front office.
The last time the Fever won 14 or more games in a season, Fever rookie Caitlin Clark was a freshman in high school.
‘I look really soft.’ Caitlin Clark brushes off slight ankle injury in Fever win
It’s been a long turnaround for the Fever since Catchings and coach Stephanie White left eight years ago. Now, they’re rebuilding into something sustainable.
“I think in our locker room, even when coaches talk about it, we focus from game-to-game,” said seventh-year pro Kelsey Mitchell, the longest-tenured Fever player. “But we’re not crazy, you know, playoffs is a big deal for all of us, and I think we try to stay focused on what’s right, and I think the main thing is game-by-game.”
The Fever, who held on to beat Atlanta 84-79 Monday, are full of young players. Three of their five starters (Clark, Boston and third-year NaLyssa Smith) are still on rookie contracts, while Katie Lou Samuelson is in her fifth year. Indiana’s first option off the bench, Lexie Hull, is a third-year player, too.
Not many of the players on the Fever have playoff experience — only Damiris Dantas and Temi Fagbenle have gone deep into the playoff push, winning championships with the Minnesota Lynx in 2015 and 2017, respectively, both coming off the bench.
“We all feel like we can continue to get better in a lot of ways.,” Clark said. “This team is young, has a lot of young talent, and I feel like we’re just starting to put it together a little bit. So, hopefully that continues to come along.”
Based on past seasons, the Fever will likely need to win at least 17 games to have a good shot at the playoffs. A minimum record of 17-23 would put the Fever at a .425 winning percentage in the regular season, and the averaged record of the league’s playoff No. 8 seeds from 2017-23 was .428.
More: How many more wins do Fever need to snap playoffs drought? A look at the schedule.
Plus, the Fever now have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Dream (Indiana is 3-0 vs. Atlanta), and it’s looking more and more likely Indiana will finally break its streak of missing the playoffs. A win against the Sky next Sunday would give Indiana the head-to-head tiebreaker over Chicago as well.
Three teams — New York, Connecticut and Minnesota — have already clinched playoff berths. Seattle is close to officially making the playoffs, as well as Phoenix. Right now, ESPN gives Indiana a 94.4% chance of making the playoffs. The next highest is Chicago, which ESPN predicts a 56.2% chance. Chicago and Atlanta, which has a 47.5% chance, will likely battle for the final playoff spot.
And it will likely take a lot of worry out of Indiana’s camp if it can ensure it has the head-to-head over both of those teams.
There are a bevy of winnable games for the Fever left on the schedule, including their final game against the Dream at home Sept. 8. The Fever also play the three teams who are all but out of the playoffs, including Los Angeles, Washington and Dallas (twice).
Those are six games the Fever will likely be favored to win, and that could put them in great standing for the playoff picture. But that’s easier said than done.
The Fever led by as many as 18 points against the Dream in the second half Monday but allowed them back within two points. The Dream trailed by just three with 30 seconds left and did all they could to force overtime — including grabbing two offensive rebounds in the same possession before the Fever could regain control of the ball.
Winning the game itself was a big step for the Fever — earlier in the season, there were times when they crumbled in those situations, taking the loss without a fight. Indiana is still a young team, still learning how to control those situations. To be truly successful, though, the Fever need to make sure those big end-of-game runs don’t happen in the first place.
“I think just figuring out a way to kind of play with the lead a little bit better; we’ve kind of struggled with that this year, and I think at times we get a little stagnant and don’t play with the same pace that we played with in the first half,” Clark said. “… just don’t get stagnant and find a way to continue to push it and extend the lead out, rather than just letting them hang around.”
Follow IndyStar Fever Insider Chloe Peterson on X at @chloepeterson67.
Caitlin Clark will be in Target Center for Maya Moore jersey retirement
The Indiana Fever star idolized the former UConn and WNBA star growing up.
ATLANTA — The Indiana Fever eeked out a victory over the Atlanta Dream, 84-79, Monday night for their 14th win of the season — their highest number of wins since 2016, Tamika Catchings’ final season and Indiana’s last trip to the postseason.
The Dream (10-19) didn’t make it easy, though. The Fever nearly blew a 14-point lead, with the Dream getting within two points at the 3-minute mark of the fourth quarter. But ill-timed fouls by Atlanta kept Indiana in front, allowing the Fever just enough breathing room in the final minutes.
‘Pace and passing’: Lynx coach reveals Caitlin Clark’s biggest assets for Fever
The Fever are now 14-16 and remain seventh place in the WNBA standings, still in the playoff picture.
Here are three observations:
Caitlin Clark rolls ankle, quickly returns to game
Fever fans in the building collectively held their breath when Fever rookie Caitlin Clark fell, clutching her ankle, in the middle of the first quarter. She got tied up with Nia Coffey near the free-throw line and rolled her ankle, tumbling to the ground in pain.
Clark stayed on the ground for a while, her teammates surrounding her as the Fever called a timeout and had trainers come over to check out her ankle. After a long pause, Clark eventually was helped up off the ground and walked back to the bench.
Evidently, it didn’t seem like it was anything to worry about. Clark never left the bench, getting taped up as play resumed and Erica Wheeler subbed in for her. She sat on the bench for the rest of the quarter (about three minutes of game time), then checked back in for the second quarter with no limp in sight.
Slight ankle injuries aren’t new to Clark — she rolled the same ankle against the Sun back in May, going back to the locker room to get it checked out. She eventually returned to that game, too, and said postgame, “every basketball player has an ankle injury. If you don’t, you’re not a true baller.”
Lexie Hull starts second half in place of Katie Lou Samuelson
For multiple games at the beginning of the season, Lexie Hull sat on the bench for full games. DNP-Coach’s Decision showed up to her name next to multiple box scores — a stark difference for someone who started most of the Fever’s games in 2023.
Now, Hull is getting starter-level minutes off the bench.
She played 30 minutes Monday night, finishing with two points, four rebounds and two assists and had +/- of +4.
The third-year guard has played 20 or more minutes in each of the Fever’s past three games, including Monday’s contest against the Dream. She’s known for her defensive abilities, but she also has flashes of offensive prowess — including a career-high 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting against the Storm last week. She tallied a second-straight double-digit game against Minnesota, putting in 10 points in the Fever’s loss to the Lynx.
While Hull has been playing more and more minutes, it means fewer for Katie Lou Samuelson, who typically starts at the 3. Samuelson only played 14 minutes against the Lynx on Saturday, while Hull played 26. On Monday, Samuelson was limited to seven minutes and took just one shot. Samuelson has only made one shot in the three games since the Olympic break, going 1-of-11 from the field.
Kelsey Mitchell notches fourth straight game with 20+ points
If her recent play is any indication, the Olympic break was great for Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell. A two-time All-Star, Mitchell is averaging over 24 points per game in the Fever’s four games since the Olympic break.
She’s been a consistent scorer the entire season, averaging 17.8 points per game, but her scoring has found a new level.
More: Kelsey Mitchell ‘excited’ for free agency — that’s if she hits market.
Mitchell weaved around defenders in the 38 minutes she was on the floor Monday night and shot 10-of-23 from the field. Her two free throws with five seconds left put the Fever up five points, sealing a victory and giving Mitchell 29 points.
How many points did Caitlin Clark score against the Dream?
Clark tied the rookie record for 3-pointers made Monday night, making four to bring her total to 85. The Dream’s Rhyne Howard set the record in her rookie season in 2022. Now, Clark has 10 more games to set her own record.
The Fever rookie finished the game with 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting (4-of-8 from 3-point range), and added on seven rebounds and seven assists.
Purdue will kick off the 2024 season with a familiar FCS opponent from Terre Haute. This game is 100% without a doubt a must-win for Ryan Walters and Purdue, mostly because the rest of their 2024 schedule is one of the toughest in the nation.
Let’s get to know the Sycamores.
Indiana State Sycamores (0-0)
2023 Record: 1-10
Series Record: Purdue 6-0
Last Purdue Win: 56-0, September 10th, 2022
Last Indiana State Win: None
Indiana State Head Coach: Curt Mallory (20-47 Career Record)
The 2023 Season for Indiana State:
The 2023 season for the Sycamores was a forgettable one, probably one they never really want to talk about again. Their only win came late in the season after starting 0-9, beating Western Illinois 27 to 6.
Aside from that, there has not been a lot for Sycamore fans to look forward to as they have not had a winning record since the 2018 Campaign. They only scored 13.45 points per game during the 2023 season, while allowing right at 30 points per game, again it was an abysmal season for Indiana State.
Now, they look to move forward, but it will be a process, as they are young on both sides of the football team again.
On offense, they return Kokomo native, Plez Lawrence, the speedster who rushed for over 500 yards last season, he will look to pace the offense, which is only bringing back four starters this season.
On defense, senior defensive back, JP Osafo will look to pace the secondary and lead a young defensive unit overall.
Game Outlook:
It will be a scorcher at Ross-Ade Stadium this weekend, with the highest reaching the low 90s, it could play a factor, and while Purdue is not that deep, they are much deeper than the Sycamores overall.
Way Too Early Prediction:
I would be shocked and disappointed if Purdue does not blow these guys out and pull away early. Look for the Boilers to win convincingly.
Purdue 45 Indiana State 7
Last week felt like fall. The summer heat returns this week. We could even reach our hottest temperatures of the season!
Mostly sunny skies mean temperatures climb quickly again today. Highs reach the lower 90s. Humidity will be noticeable, but manageable. Heat index values will reach into the middle 90s this afternoon.
wrtv
Humidity and temperatures climb even higher Tuesday. We’re expecting our hottest day of the summer with highs in the middle 90s. Heat index values could reach around 105° Tuesday afternoon. That’s why we have an Excessive Heat Watch in effect.
wrtv
High temperatures are likely to stay in the 90s through the end of the week. We could get some heat relief from storms Wednesday and again Friday.
Indianapolis Weather Forecast:
Today: Mostly sunny. High: 93°
Overnight: Mostly clear. Low: 72°
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, hot and humid. High: 96°
Wednesday: Partly sunny. Scattered t’storms. High: 93°
Thursday: Partly sunny. High: 93°
Indianapolis 7-Day Weather Forecast
wrtv
Measure viewed as potential fix for downtown Denver’s “doom loop” headed to some city voters in November
Houston Astros Predicted to Run Away With AL West Due to Seattle Mariners Struggles
UK PM Starmer warns of ‘painful' October budget to tackle shortfall in public finances
Milwaukee County and southern Wisconsin under an excessive heat warning again today
Ex Falcons Third-Round Draft Pick on Roster Cut Bubble
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Trump threatens to quit Kamala debate after RFK backs him, denounces media
Israel killed 40,000 people in Gaza. What does that look like?
Judge orders pause on Biden program offering legal status to spouses of U.S. citizens
Biden, Harris 'have never once reached out' to Gold Star families of 13 fallen servicemembers, they say
Severe drought forces early harvests in Serbia
-
Minnesota1 week agoReaders and writers: Plenty of thrills and danger in these Minnesota author’s mysteries
-
Technology5 days agoBreakthrough robo-glove gives you superhuman grip
-
News1 week agoVideo: Biden Delivers Keynote on First Night of D.N.C.
-
World1 week agoNigeria police working to secure release of 20 kidnapped medical students
-
Politics1 week agoFormer teacher reveals which students suffered 'the most' under Walz's pandemic-era guidelines
-
News1 week agoVideo: Protesters Clash With Police Near the Democratic National Convention
-
Politics1 week agoAs DNC approaches, party remains at impasse with with anti-Israel 'uncommitted' movement
-
Politics1 week agoDem strategists say Harris needs to ensure she's 'striking the right balance' at DNC, seize on 'momentum'