NaLyssa Smith, Queen Egbo impress in Indiana Fever preseason loss

The Indiana Fever dropped their remaining preseason sport 101-89 to the Dallas Wings, however the staff’s scoring output ought to give followers loads of optimism heading into Friday’s common season opener.

As was the case within the staff’s preseason opener, Indiana’s rookies obtained loads of alternatives — and took benefit of it. No. 2 choose NaLyssa Smith scored 18 factors on 6-of-10 capturing. No. 4 choose Emily Engstler scored 12 factors, had 5 rebounds and three steals off the bench. No. 6 choose Queen Egbo scored 11 factors with 11 rebounds. One of many staff’s few veterans, Kelsey Mitchell, led the staff in scoring with 22 factors, hitting 4 3-pointers. 

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The staff’s 89 factors would have matched final season’s excessive. 

Defensively, the Fever struggled to comprise a balanced Dallas staff that completed with 5 gamers in double-figure scoring. The Wings shot 54% from the ground and hit 10 3-pointers. Isabelle Harrison led the best way with 18 factors, whereas Jasmine Dickey scored 15.

The main target turns to the common season, which Indiana begins 7 p.m., Friday on the highway towards Washington. Earlier than the sport towards Dallas, Fever coach Marianne Stanley stated the main target will proceed to be on incremental enchancment and discovering the very best match for a roster that presently contains six rookies. 

“We’re just about simply targeted on us at this level,” she stated. “It’s going to be like that for fairly some time. We’ve got a whole lot of items which might be new, and a brand new method of approaching the sport when it comes to what we do. So which means it’s further for everyone. I simply need to see progress. I need to see enchancment.”