The Indiana Fever kicked off the 2026 preseason with a statement, blowing out the New York Liberty 109-91 in Raven Johnson’s pro debut. Despite it being just preseason, the rookie point guard turned heads with a flawless, all-around spark off the bench. She went a perfect 3-for-3 from the field for 6 points, while adding 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 18 minutes. Her sharp playmaking kept the offense humming early, and those long “go-go gadget” arms swatted shots and created havoc on defense- exactly the spark Indiana needed while building a big lead against a loaded Liberty squad.

It was an eye-opening performance from the No. 10 draftee, and one of her closest WNBA friends, Angel Reese, was quick to show her support, firing off a 5-word message to her ‘booskie.’ The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the  Year dreamt of this moment and was even starstruck before this debut. “I’m going to be like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re playing against New York. This is Sabrina Ionescu. Those are girls I looked up to in middle school,’” Johnson had said before the game. However, when the game came, none of those jitters showed, and Reese immediately gave her a shout-out.

“so proud of my booskieeee @HollywoodRaven,” Reese wrote. While those two competed against each other at LSU and South Carolina, they have become friends off the court while  partnering up for the national team as well. Johnson and Reese even celebrated Gamecocks 2024 title win on a video call. 

A supportive friend throughout, Reese had already reached out when Johnson was drafted. “Your journey has been so inspiring, and you’re just getting started. See you in the W! 🤍🙏🏽” she wrote. And as Johnson is already impressing at the highest level, her coach Stephanie White was equally effusive in her praise.

“I thought Raven did a great job,” her coach Stephanie White said. “Certainly, we know what she can bring on the defensive end of the floor, and she’s going to continue to bring that night in and night out, and then she’s just going to learn on the offensive end, learn what we’re looking to get out of certain actions, learn how to create the matchups that we want, and learn how to create an advantage. It’s different than in college, and she’s a sponge.”

That hunger to learn was on full display off the court, too, though it came with one memorable rookie slip-up. Johnson got the first taste of the WNBA, and her first matchup with Angel Reese is slated back-to-back on 19th and 20th June.

Safe to say, the one who wins will earn the bragging rights in this friendship. By that time, Johnson should be well acclimated to the new league. She has already shown the maturity of a WNBA player, but there were still a few lighthearted rookie moments off the court.

Raven Johnson Accidentally Reveals Play Call

Raven Johnson was a leader on the court. Her performance was enough to cement her place in the rotation next to Caitlin Clark- a sentiment White captured perfectly. Like White said, “You can’t teach those go-go gadget arms.” Johnson has developed a mentor-mentee relationship with Clark, as she revealed to have asked her “1000 questions.”

That curiosity, however, nearly cost the Fever a tactical secret. While explaining how Clark is helping her grow, Johnson accidentally revealed an internal code for a play call.

“She’s the one that I’ve been asking a lot of questions to,” Johnson said (via Indy star). “Actually, she helps me a lot. I’m like, ‘What is red?’ And she says, ‘It’s trap,’ and I’m like wow, it’s that simple.’

White immediately cut her off with a laugh, saying, “You just gave away our call.” An embarrassed Johnson immediately covered her face, staring at White in fear as Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added, “I was just about to say that.” 

Ultimately, Johnson is still a rookie, and despite her poised debut, slip-ups, both on and off the court, are an inevitable part of the professional learning curve she’s just beginning.

In Clark’s rookie year, she had to overcome physicality and the overwhelming pressure of the spotlight, but she soldiered through. With a demonstrated willingness to learn, Johnson’s rookie journey, the triumphs and the gaffes alike, will be one of the league’s most compelling subplots this season.