Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White spoke about Tyasha Harris’ injury ahead of the postseason.
The Fever will open their WNBA playoffs campaign without backup guard Harris, after the team announced on Saturday that she suffered a season-ending broken fibula in her left leg.
Harris sustained the injury Thursday during their last regular-season game against the Minnesota Lynx. She went for a layup in the third quarter and landed awkwardly. Harris was in significant pain and had to be carried off the court. Indiana lost the game 86-66 to the Lynx.
During her media availability on Saturday, Coach White addressed the unfortunate development as the team prepares for its first-round matchup with the Las Vegas Aces.
“It’s heartbreaking,” White said. “Certainly an emotional locker room after the game.
“Ty means a lot to us as a human being, and obviously she means a lot to us as a player, too. But I hate it for her because she worked so hard to get back. And we’re going to be with her, and we’re going to be with her through all of it. So she knows that.”
The 49-year-old coach also discussed Harris’ impact on the team and how the Fever will miss her services during a crucial part of their campaign.
“And on the floor, she’s been a big part of what we do,” White continued. “I mean, she has been a floor general for us. She’s gotten us into offense, she’s gotten us settled, her ability to knock down shots.
“And you saw when she got healthy, her minutes continued to increase. And so we’re going to miss her on the floor.”
But White remains optimistic despite Harris’ absence. The former WNBA Coach of the Year specifically identified rookie Raven Johnson as someone prepared to take on a larger role.
“But the great thing is that Raven has gotten quality minutes, especially over the last few games,” White pointed out. “And I think her impact on our team, on both ends of the floor, has been felt, and so she’s going to be ready.”
Johnson logged 23 minutes against Minnesota and produced six points, three rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. This came four days after the two-time NCAA champion played a season-high 26 minutes against the Washington Mystics.
Game 1 between the Fever and the Aces is on Sunday. Tipoff from Michelob ULTRA Arena is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET.
