“I think any time that you’re hit with adversity, it gives you an opportunity to grow through it,” Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White said. The Fever HC has been optimistic and has an unwavering faith in winning the title this year, despite all the odds in their favour. But as a team that failed to claw back stronger after a heart-wrenching loss against the New York Liberty on May 24 this year, will White and the Indiana Fever be able to grow through it? Currently standing on the losing end of the spectrum with a 2-4 ranking under their belt, how can Fever cope with the loss of star players and guards Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham, who joined Clark on the bench?

“I’d rather be hit with this now in May, allow us to grow through it from not just an execution standpoint, but a toughness standpoint, mental toughness as well as physical toughness standpoint, and be better from it,” White shared. When Clark was sidelined owing to a sprain in the left quadriceps, White was of the view that dealing with injuries this early in the season is better, as it will provide a mental clarity on how to navigate through the remaining season. With revitalised players returning to the roster, Fever will boast of healthier players with deeper insights into the performances, individually and as a whole.

After serving a first win of the season to the last standing team on the power rankings, Connecticut Sun on Saturday, it is evident that their performance has been sinking. But before the team could recover from their fourth overall loss in the season so far, they are scheduled to face the Washington Mystics again. With a disappointing performance against the Mystics last week where Aliyah Boston became an easy target and Colson contributed three ball turns, can White avenge the loss this time? With a lingering hope before today’s tip off, let us delve deeper into the injury report, starting five players, and match prediction and understand if White has chances of grabbing a win this time.

Injury Report: Indiana Fever vs Washington Mystics

Unfortunately, Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson became the latest victims of on-court injuries in the game against the Connecticut Sun. While Colson suffered an upper leg injury during the match, Cunningham underwent an ankle sprain. However, their injuries were not severe in nature. With a day-to-day listed status on ESPN, Colson has returned from her rest to join the rest of the team and is ready for a showdown against the Mystics. Again. On the other hand, the official ESPN website has declared Sophie’s playing status as ‘out’ and she will remain absent from today’s game. Cunningham had a solid run this regular season as she averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists so far.

With Cunningham officially declared out citing the injury, Stephanie White came up with a contingency plan and signed Aari McDonald under the league’s emergency hardship exception rule. Though McDonald was signed to bolster the team’s spirit in the absence of Clark and Cunningham, looks like the injuries have halted the perfect storybook run of Indiana Fever. Thanks to Fever superstar, Caitlin Clark, whose left quad injury forced the athlete to sit out for two weeks straight.

But with a new point guard in the 2021 overall number 3 pick joining the locker room, things look promising for the Fever. But is it just another mirage or will McDonald actually turn out to be lucky in Clark’s absence? That remains to be seen. But as of now, the Washington Mystics have a healthy roster. While Georgia Amoore had a GTD or day-to-day status, she too is expected to remain present in the showdown against Fever on Tuesday.

Projected Starters: Indiana Fever vs Washington Mystics

Here’s a look at the projected starting five for both teams:

Indiana Fever

• Aliyah Boston
• Kelsey Mitchell
• Natasha Howard
• Lexi Hull
• DeWanna Bonner

Washington Mystics

• Brittney Sykes
• Sonia Citron
• Kiki Iriafen
• Sug Sutton
• Stephanie Dolson

Match Prediction: Indiana Fever vs Washington Mystics

The Indiana Fever is pitted against the Washington Mystics again. After losing 83-77 to the young Mystics roster, chances of Fever look bleak. The team has 0-2 losing streak after Clark paved way for Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham to step up and propel the team to a win. But Colson averaged 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 turnovers against the Mystics as Boston failed to create defence. Moreover, as a team banking on their hub, Aliyah Boston failed to move the paint as the Mystics packed the court and closed any chances at defence.

On the other hand, the Mystics have a young and robust roster with rookies like Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron that have showcased their prowess on the court since day 1. The team is physical, dominating, and has players with a high basketball IQ and a strong court vision, who can make quick decisions and block the opponents from capitalising on any opportunity. As a tactical team that knows how to corner the opponents and snatch the victory, the Mystics seem to have an edge above the Fever.

But with Colson returning to the roster after a severe leg injury during the game against the then-winless Connecticut Sun, and HC White signing former Los Angeles Sparks guard, Aari McDonald to take the reins and make a run for the victory, can the two players prove themselves on the hardwood against the Mystics today and turn the tables in the team’s favour? While ESPN predicted Fever to win the upcoming match with a 74% win prediction even after the team saw a crushing defeat last week, can they win against the resilient and power-packed Mystics? Or is the Fever headed towards another disappointing performance this year? That remains to be seen.