With the roster potentially shrinking to just eight healthy players ahead of their matchup against the Washington Mystics, Indiana Fever have reached a critical tipping point.
The team can now activate one of the league’s emergency provisions but it remains to be seen if they will they sign someone who already knows the system.
Now, at 2-4, the Fever are facing the worst-case scenario in losing the only parts of the offense that were working. First, it was Caitlin Clark, who has been sidelined with a quadriceps injury and isn’t expected back until June 10.
Just as the team was finding its footing with Sydney Colson stepping into a bigger role and Sophie Cunningham delivering strong minutes off the bench, both guards went down in the same game.
Emergency hardship exception opens the door
Colson suffered an upper leg injury in a collision with Jacy Sheldon, and Cunningham rolled her ankle in the fourth quarter. With three guards now unavailable, Indiana is in a serious bind.
“We’re down in numbers, but we’re looking at adding another player, a replacement player, to help us with our numbers,” said Indiana Fever President Kelly Krauskopf, who confirmed that the team intends to utilize the WNBA’s emergency hardship exception.
Under the league’s rules, when a team has fewer than 10 healthy players, they are eligible to sign a replacement under a temporary contract.
While there is some good news, as both Colson and Cunningham received positive MRI results, their status remains “day-to-day,” according to Head Coach Stephanie White. That makes it unlikely either will be ready for Tuesday’s game, which could leave the Fever with just two guards in Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell.
“You have an 11-player roster and you lose three players like that, you have to add a player to your roster,” Krauskopf explained. “It’s something that you just deal with being in this league, with the roster sizes being a little bit smaller. That’s why you try to build for depth.
“Best player available at that position who can add value at both ends of the floor.”
Fever fans quickly turned social media into a scouting department. Among the most requested names was Chennedy Carter, who has yet to land a consistent role despite her talent, is a fan favorite due to her scoring ability and flash. Others floated were Megan McConnell, Aari McDonald, Deja Kelly, Ariel Powers, and Sydney Affolter.
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