The Indiana Fever’s season is on the line.
The Fever (21-20) host the Chicago Sky on Friday in a game that has major playoff implications for Indiana. The Fever have dropped four of their last six games, including back-to-back losses to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, Aug. 31 and Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, Sept. 2. As a result, Indiana has slid into the eighth and final playoff spot.
The Fever only have a 1 1/2-game advantage over the ninth-place Los Angeles Sparks (19-20) with three games remaining in the regular season. (The Sparks have four games.) If the Fever and the Sparks were to finish with the same record, the Sparks hold the tiebreaker after taking the regular-season series, 3-1.
All-Star guard Caitlin Clark (right groin) announced Thursday she is done for the year. Clark is the fifth Indiana player to be ruled out for the season joining Chloe Bibby, Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald.
Fever guard Lexie Hull said all the Fever can do at this point is ‘focus on the win on Friday.’ Kelsey Mitchell added, ‘All we can do is control what we can control and that is Friday. … I believe in every person in that locker room. I believe in our coaching staff and I think Friday is the most important to us.’
Following Friday’s matchup, the Fever will face the Washington Mystics (Sept. 7) and close the season out against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx (Sept. 9).
The Sky have been eliminated from playoff contention, but can play spoiler. Sky forward Angel Reese, who was assessed her eighth technical foul on Wednesday, will be suspended for the game unless the foul is rescinded. She leads the league in double-doubles (22), averaging 14.6 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this year.
Friday’s matchup will mark the fifth meeting of the season between the Sky and Fever. Indiana leads the series 4-0 and is going for the regular-season sweep. Here’s everything you need to know about Friday’s game:
What time is Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky?
The Indiana Fever host the Chicago Sky at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) on Friday, Sept. 5, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game will be broadcast nationally on ION.
How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky: TV, stream
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT)
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
TV channel: ION
Streaming: Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)
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