The Indiana Fever have picked things up in the business end of the regular season and are currently fifth in the standings. With the Atlanta Dream securing the fourth seed and one more game left for Indiana, the result of that game could decide whether they’ll face the Dream or the Aces. For Rachel DeMita, the Fever have a better chance against the Aces.
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In their final game against the Lynx, a win will give the Fever the fifth seed, and that means they will likely face the fourth-place Atlanta Dream. While that would be a great match-up for the fans who would get to see a new chapter of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, Rachel DeMita believes the Dream will be a tougher barrier to cross.
“I actually think the Aces would be a fine matchup for them because Aaliyah Boston gives A’ja Wilson trouble. They’re without NaLyssa Smith, like they’re kind of bare-bones with that Aces team.”
“I feel like the Fever could get it done against them,” DeMita said on her Courtside Club podcast.
Choosing the Fever as favorites against the reigning champions is a bold take. After all, the Aces have won three WNBA titles since 2022. Moreover, the Aces were the team that knocked the Fever out in the semifinals to go on and clinch the title last season.
However, the Fever are not the same team as last season. Especially now in the upcoming playoffs, as they have a fully fit Caitlin Clark who is in the form of her life. But DeMita has shed the spotlight on her teammate, Aliyah Boston, because of her ability to go toe-to-toe with four-time MVP A’ja Wilson.
In their highly physical post-up rivalry, Boston has often found success against her fellow South Carolina product. Boston has played a total of 12 games against Wilson and has averaged 16.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
DeMita has also mentioned Aces star NaLyssa Smith’s unavailability, who is out for the whole season following her left leg injury on August 23 against the Toronto Tempo. Smith was a key player for head coach Becky Hammon, as she gelled really well at the post alongside Wilson. Smith was also averaging close to 12 points and 6.4 rebounds.
With her absence, the Aces have not looked their most complete, and DeMita reiterated that sentiment.
Above all, the Indiana Fever have actually had a great record against the Aces this season. In three games, the Fever have comfortably won twice with the scores of 84-68 and 109-75. And the game they lost went to overtime, with the Aces barely taking the win with a score of 86-84. However, it is also worth noting that Wilson did not play in one of the games that Indiana won against the Aces.
Regardless, the current standings suggest the Fever will take on the Dream in the first round. For DeMita, it is not the most favorable matchup for Caitlin Clark and co., as she believes the Dream’s physicality could hinder the Fever, even if they win the series.
“…I don’t think Atlanta would be a good matchup because as much as I think that the Fever could beat the Atlanta Dream in a first-round series, I think even if they do, they’re going to be beat up and tired after it.”
“Like, that is also one of those teams that is going to leave you battered and bruised when you’re going into the next round. They’re going to wear you down.”
The Indiana Fever is currently on a good streak, winning four of their last five games. They also beat top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in their most recent game, albeit head coach Cheryl Reeve dropped all her starters in the second half.
The Fever play their final game of the regular season on Thursday night against the Lynx again, and will be looking forward to entering the playoffs with winning momentum.