The Washington Mystics vs the Indiana Fever game tips off with more than pride on the line; a playoff berth may depend on it. Both Eastern Conference teams opened the season strong, but their paths diverged as the months rolled on. For Indiana, injuries chipped away at the roster until only a skeleton rotation remained. For Washington, it was inexperience that proved costly, with two rookies forced to shoulder the bulk of the scoring load with little to no support from others.

That lack of balance unraveled the Mystics down the stretch. After a promising first half that saw them win 13 of their first 26 games, they stumbled through August with just three victories. The Fever, in contrast, has stayed in the playoff hunt despite losing several players. Now, as Indiana makes the final push towards the postseason, let’s take a look at both teams’ injury reports and determine who will start the game for each team.

Washington Mystics vs Indiana Fever: Where to watch

Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025

Time: 12:00 PM PST/ 3:00 PM EST

Venue: CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, MD

Washington Mystics vs Indiana Fever Injury Report

Washington Mystics

• Jacy Sheldon: Out (Right ankle injury)
• Georgia Amoore: OFS (Out For Season)

Sheldon came on board August 7, but an ankle injury just six days later has kept her sidelined ever since. With no clear timeline for recovery and only a handful of games left, her season with Washington appears all but over. As for Georgia Amoore, the Mystics guard tore her right ACL during training camp earlier in the year, a blow that ruled her out for the entirety of 2025.

Indiana Fever

• Caitlin Clark: OFS (Out for Season)
• Aari McDonald: OFS (Out for Season)
• Sophie Cunningham: OFS (Out for Season)
• Sydney Colson: OFS (Out for Season)
• Chloe Bibby: OFS (Out for Season)

This is a sight no coach wants to see. Five key players of Indiana are declared out for the season due to injuries. The team first lost Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson together. Colson suffered from an ACL tear, while McDonald broke a bone in her right foot. The next blow came in the form of Sophie Cunningham, who tore her MCL. Next was Chloe Bibby, who had a recurring knee injury. Caitlin Clark suffered a right groin injury on July 15 and has been recovering since. However, being unable to recover in time, she was declared out of the season alongside Chloe Bibby in an announcement on September 4.

Predicted Starting Lineup

With five key players sidelined, Indiana takes the floor with a reshaped lineup that has carried them through the latter half of the season. Both the Fever and the Mystics are expected to stick with the same starting fives they’ve used in recent games.

Washington Mystics

• Sonia Citron
• Alysha Clark
• Shakira Austin
• Sug Sutton
• Kiki Iriafen

Indiana Fever

• Kelsey Mitchell
• Aliyah Boston
• Odyssey Sims
• Lexie Hull
• Natasha Howard

Washington Mystics vs Indiana Fever: Which team will emerge victorious?

As the Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics step into CFG Bank Arena, their motivations could not be more different. Indiana plays with its postseason hopes on the line, while Washington looks to salvage pride and close out the 2025 season on a high note. The Mystics enter on an eight-game losing streak, while the Fever arrive riding the momentum of a rivalry win over the Chicago Sky. However, the game is bound to be closer than you think. On paper, both teams put up comparable stats. Rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals of both these teams go hand in hand.

But it is the offense where the Fever holds an edge. Led by Kelsey Mitchell’s scoring bursts and steady double-digit contributions from her supporting cast, Indiana posts 84.7 points per game compared to Washington’s 77.7. For the Mystics, rookie Sonia Citron has been the standout, averaging 14.9 points on an efficient 46.8 percent shooting. Alongside fellow rookie Kiki Iriafen, she forms the core of Washington’s attack, and shutting them down will be Indiana’s top priority.

We can see a direct head-to-head battle between Aliyah Boston and Kiki Iriafen under the net. Whoever clinches ahead will secure the win. Historically, Washington holds an edge over Indiana. In their past three meetings, the Mystics have handed the Fever a defeat in two games. One might think, with past record and home court advantage, Washington might be the leading side.

Yet momentum favors the Fever. Despite their injury-depleted roster, they are hungrier for a win that will keep their playoff dreams alive. ESPN analytics projects Indiana as the favorite with a 63.4 percent chance, leaving Washington at 36.6 percent. Still, in a matchup this tight, the real verdict will only come once the final buzzer sounds.