“We’re not here for just the moment, we’re here to take over,” Indiana Fever declared, and up we sat. New coach, a confident new look, and a 93-58 win to start the season, and you wouldn’t bat an eye. But for all the hype, Stephanie White’s squad hasn’t managed to walk the talk. At least not 6 games in. A team that started off as the Top-4 is now grappling to hang on– close games, foul troubles, and against Connecticut, a disheartening injury list.

The Indiana Fever started off Friday’s game 2-3 on the table, and Caitlin Clark on the injury report. But a few minutes in, the scorecard was heavily leaning towards 2-4 and a missing veteran’s name from the starting lineup. Whom were the Fever missing this game and how?

What is Sydney Colson’s status?

After Clark was declared out for 2 long weeks due to a quadriceps strain, the Fever were left in desperate need of an efficient point guard. Stephanie White trusted 2x champion, Sydney Colson, with the responsibility despite the disasters that were the last few games. But this time, circumstances ended up worse than imagined.

After recording 2 assists and grabbing 2 rebounds across 9 minutes, the momentum came crashing down for the guard and the Fever. Just when the team was leading 19-16, just over a minute left in the first quarter, Jacy Sheldon dove for a loose ball and collided with Sydney Colson.

The veteran guard was down in obvious pain. It was actually the second hard hit she had taken. Sadly, Sydney Colson left for the locker room, barely being able to put any weight on the injured leg. She was assisted by trainer Maria Witte and remained out for the rest of the game.

In the absence of two point guards, Sophie Cunningham was to take over the duties. And while that was fair state she had entered in with the Fever still in the lead, the game slipped out of hands by the minute. The initial gap that was just 3 points at halftime kept widening. By the end of the third quarter, they were trailing 68-59.

It’s obvious that the squad is suffering from the absence of their star guard Caitlin Clark. It already showed in loss against the Mystics, where the team added no transition points and shot just 23.8% from the field. Colson hadn’t contributed much then, either, recording 3 assists, grabbing 3 rebounds, and shooting 2-of-7 from the field. For White, though, she was still the 10-year veteran and a 2x champion the team could rely on.

After the game, the head coach had no updates on Colson. So her return for the next game against the Mystics still remains uncertain. So what is Stephanie White focusing on now?

With Caitlin Clark and Colson out, HC looks for the positives

After losing Caitlin Clark’s 19-point and 9-assist average, the Indiana Fever have off-tracked 2-4. That loss to Connecticut Sun, it was a third-consecutive one. Though the team looked like it would bounce back in the final minute there, the offensive lapses proved just too much. After leading 78-76, close to 3 minutes left in the game, the team missed 3 shots and recorded two personal fouls. The Sun, who were winless entering the game, added their first with 85-83 triumph.

This was an offensive powerhouse even before the season had tipped off. But now, they have both ends of the floor to address. But Stephanie White is looking at this as an opportunity to weather through the storm without over reliance. If they get through this phase, a deep run is all but guaranteed for the Fever.

“We’re hitting adversity right now,” White said postgame. “It’s challenging, and it’s still a great opportunity for us, because it’s not going to be perfect. It’s early enough in the season that we’ve got a chance to really find a gut check moment in who we’re going to be through adversity.”

The team faces Chicago Sky next. And knowing the history, they have a really good chance at bouncing back. Aliyah Boston is putting those extras hours in, too. So while their true point guard position remains a concern, the Fever have a floor to make a statement.