The Indiana Fever (3-4) will take on the Chicago Sky (2-4) tonight in a highly anticipated matchup that WNBA fans have been waiting for since the schedule was released. This is the second of five matchups between the two teams this season, and the rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has already added drama to the game. The Fever crushed the Sky by 35 points in their season opener, with Clark achieving a triple-double.
However, things look different now. Indiana is banged up-Clark is out with a quad injury, missing her fourth straight game, and Sophie Cunningham is sidelined too. To make matters worse, head coach Stephanie White will not be on the bench tonight due to personal reasons, leaving the Fever in a tough spot against a Sky team eager for revenge.
Stephanie White Steps Away, Austin Kelly Steps Up
Stephanie White was absent from practice yesterday and did not accompany the team to Chicago, with the Fever citing personal reasons for her absence. Assistant coach Austin Kelly, who has worked alongside White for three years-first in Connecticut and now in Indianapolis-will take the reins tonight. Kelly is familiar with the system, and White trusts her staff completely. However, this isn’t an ideal time for a shake-up.
With the absence of Caitlin Clark, who never missed a game in college or her rookie year until this injury, and Sophie Cunningham, the Fever’s depth is stretched thin. They even had to bring in Aari McDonald on a hardship exception just to keep the roster afloat. It’s a tough setback for a team that’s already struggling to stay above .500. McDonald’s debut was a game-changer. She helped the Fever break a three-game losing streak with an 85-76 victory over the Washington Mystics. The former third overall draft pick scored seven points, had five assists, and had three steals in just 27 minutes.
Indiana’s season started with promise. That blowout win over Chicago had people talking about the playoffs, and even a title run. Since then, however, it’s been a struggle. They’ve lost four of their last six games, and without Clark, their offense has struggled, scoring nearly 20 points fewer per game than in the opener. Meanwhile, the Sky have turned a corner. After losing their first four games, three of them by double digits, they’ve won two in a row, including back-to-back victories over Dallas. With the minor clash between Clark and Reese last time still buzzing online, Chicago has extra motivation to turn things around tonight.
Fever Falter While Sky Find Their Groove
Assuming that Clark is back for Tuesday’s game against Atlanta, this will be her last night watching from the sidelines. Clark was in the MVP conversation alongside A’ja Wilson, averaging 19 points and a league-high 9.3 assists before her injury. The injuries are certainly disappointing, but it’s early enough in the season that Indiana can still bounce back and chase that playoff spot everyone expected them to reach.
Tonight, though? I’d bet on Chicago winning by double digits. If they can’t capitalize on the Fever missing their coach and two starters, it’d be disappointing for them, both on the scoreboard and mentally. Still, there’s plenty of season left for both teams to figure things out.
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