The Indiana Fever are rolling into the final stretch of the WNBA regular season. Indiana has won six of its last eight games and sits fourth in the league at 20-12, with its core trio continuing to drive the team on both ends of the floor.
Kelsey Mitchell leads the Fever with 24.2 points per game while shooting 43.5% from three. Aliyah Boston is averaging 16.9 points and 8.5 rebounds, while Caitlin Clark leads the team with 8.1 assists alongside 21.6 points per game. Mitchell has also scored at least 20 points in 16 straight games, setting a new WNBA single-season record.
In addition to its trio, Indiana has received valuable production from its second unit. Sophie Cunningham has provided consistent scoring and perimeter shooting, while Makayla Timpson and Myisha Hines-Allen have given Stephanie White additional options as the Fever navigate a demanding schedule.
Indiana Fever Sign Mercedes Russell After Damiris Dantas Injury
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
The team’s depth took a hit last week when Damiris Dantas suffered a knee injury that ended her season. Dantas underwent surgery on Aug. 3 to repair the injury and the Fever subsequently ruled her out for the remainder of the campaign.
The Fever announced Monday that they have signed Mercedes Russell using a season-ending injury exception, giving them another frontcourt option for the stretch run.
Russell brings plenty of WNBA experience to Indiana. The 6-foot-6 center entered the league as the No. 22 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and has played 209 regular-season games with 79 starts. She owns career averages of 4.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists and has won two WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm.
Russell’s size should give Indiana another option around the basket. She can provide rebounding, interior defense and screens while allowing Boston to maintain her role without carrying every frontcourt minute.
The Fever will put their depth to the test Tuesday when they host the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN.
