The WNBA playoff race is heating up, and we're starting to learn more about which teams will be occupying the seventh and eighth slots. This game between the Fever and Sky will give us more information, especially since Indiana is starting to separate as the Fever challenges the Phoenix Mercury for the sixth spot.
Caitlin Clark is on a record-setting pace for the Fever, and Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter have been impressive for the Sky. Let's do a breakdown to pinpoint where these teams are in the standings, what the game means, and who to watch.
Game Details
Fixture: Indiana Fever @ Chicago Sky
Date and Time: August 30, 2024 @ 7:30 PM EST
Location: Wintrust Arena, Chicago IL
Indiana Fever Team Review
Indiana is on a serious roll. Caitlin Clark is setting records, they're beating top teams like the Sun and the Storm, and the Fever's young players are growing up in a hurry. Wednesday's win against Connecticut was proof of their growing maturity--with the Sun making runs in the second half, the Fever were able to hold them off, even with Clark committing seven turnovers.
This is a big one, though. Chicago is 3.5 games down with just nine to play, and Indiana can bury their chances to catch them in the standings with a win here. They also get a couple of soft games against a pair of struggling teams, Dallas and Los Angeles, so the Fever needs to take care of business against the Sky to advance in the playoff standings.
The team they're targeting is Phoenix. Indiana is already even with the Mercury in the loss column, and moving up to sixth in the playoff standings would be a huge confidence boost for a young team going into the playoffs.
Chicago Sky Team Review
Chicago has an entirely different set of issues to handle. They're trying to rebuild on the fly and still make the playoffs, but they've lost four in a row, including losses to the Sun, Aces, and Mystics. They're just a game ahead of the Atlanta Dream, so stopping the bleeding quickly is an absolute must.
The future is still bright with Chennedy Carter fast emerging to join Angel Reese as a star, but they don't have a lot of time to get it together. Tonight's contest against Indiana is followed by a tough road swing that features games against the Lynx and Aces before they get a couple of breathers against Dallas, then back home against the Sparks.
Who to Watch
Indiana Fever
It's always tempting to pencil in Caitlin Clark here, but that means leaving out Kelsey Mitchell, an explosive scorer who's taking the Fever offense to the next level. She takes some of the pressure off of Clark, which makes it possible for different role players to step to the forefront and deliver when necessary.
Don't sleep on Aliyah Boston, either. She's due to have a big game, and the Fever will need her to step up to combat Angel Reese's formidable inside presence.
Chicago Sky
The Sky is a young team whose chemistry is changing on the fly, and lately, that's all about Chennedy Carter. She took a lot of heat early on for her brutal foul against Caitlin Clark, but lately, it's been all about her game.
Specifically, her scoring. Carter is stepping up big, leading Chicago with over 17 points a game. Marina Mabry joins her as the second-leading scorer with 14 a game, and if you're looking for inside action there's always Reese's endless quest for another 20-rebound game. Given the history here, expect this one to be a feisty affair, likely with some chippy plays, regardless of the score.
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