The Indiana Fever and New York Liberty could face each other in a high-stakes first-round playoff series next month, with both teams vying for positioning in the standings.
The Fever (24-13), who have won 2 of 3 matchups against the Liberty this season, travel to New York for their final regular-season meeting on Saturday.
So far, the home team has won all three games in the series.
New York is riding a 9-3 run since late July, but injuries continue to plague the Liberty. Forward Satou Sabally remains out due to concussion protocol, while forward Leonie Fiebich (foot) is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.
Center Jonquel Jones, who sustained a left ankle injury in Tuesday’s loss to Chicago, expects to play despite the setback.
“I’m taped up, and of course a little bit of aggravation,” Jones said. “But nothing that’s crazy or that’s making me feel like I can’t go.”
The Liberty (22-15) have only completed two full games with their roster at full health this season.
“We’ve been through (injuries) far too many times,” said Breanna Stewart, who leads New York with 20.7 points per game. “When somebody goes down, we have to be even better.”
Indiana’s five-game winning streak ended with Thursday’s 91-85 loss at Dallas.
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell tied her season-high with 37 points in that game and set a WNBA record with her 21st consecutive game scoring at least 20 points. Mitchell leads Indiana in scoring and ranks second in the league with 24.6 points per game.
“I want to congratulate my team for making me look good,” Mitchell said after setting the record. “I don’t take statistics all that seriously. I want to get the dub (win), and we didn’t get that (against Dallas).”
Mitchell’s teammate Caitlin Clark leads the WNBA in assists (8.3 per game) and ranks third in scoring (21.7 points per game). Clark struggled in the Dallas game, scoring just 10 points on a 4-for-15 shooting night.
On a positive note for Indiana, a victory on Saturday would give the Fever a franchise record for single-season wins.
Saturday’s matchup could feature five players who competed in this year’s WNBA All-Star Game: Jones, Stewart, Mitchell, Clark, and Indiana’s Aliyah Boston, who averages 16.9 points and a team-high 8.6 rebounds.
–Field Level Media
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