We are only seven games in, but this year, the Indiana Fever team is a drastic change. While the roster looks pretty similar on paper this year’s coach has already changed the way the team looks on the court. This year the Fever have a new coach, Marianne Stanley. Stanley was a part of the Mystic coaching staff last season when they won the 2019 WNBA Championship. This Indiana team has a bright future under a well-experienced coach. So far this season the Fever is off to a good start. Y’all are definitely sleeping on the Fever.
Great Improvement
In their first matchup with the Washington Mystics in their season opener, the Fever struggled and ended up losing. The Mystics defeated this Indiana team by a score of 101-76. Since then the Fever team has changed their dynamics and looks like a whole new team. The Fever then went on to win two out of their five next matchups. With wins against great teams like the Phoenix Mercury and the Atlanta Dream, this was a huge confidence booster for this team.
Not only was the Fever the last one to arrive in the Wubble at a later date, but they also started off with missing players such as Lauren Cox and Erica Wheeler due to coronavirus protocol. Now, Cox is apart of the team and the Fever is looking to continuing to shock WNBA fans across the country.
1. @seattlestorm
— ESPN Women’s Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) August 4, 2020
2. @chicagosky
3. @WashMystics @IndianaFever jump five spots from last to seventh.https://t.co/0LiAzcIdtY
The Fever was placed in the last place in the first power rankings. Now they have jumped up to seventh. This is a huge deal for this team, they are always anticipated as one of the last teams and now they are proving doubters wrong. This is just proof that y’all are sleeping on the Fever and should not be as they are balling out.
Redemption Match Win
The Fever suited up to play the reigning champions, the Mystics once again. Now with a few wins under their belt and Lauren Cox joining the team, the Fever are ready for battle. The Fever started off determined to play well and stay in this game. Since their last meeting, the Fever lost primarily in the first quarter in their last matchup, they were insistent on staying in the game from early on. At the end of the first quarter, the Fever was only down three points which is exactly where the Fever wanted them to be… a close game. The Fever then went in full force to outscore the Mystics in the second quarter by a score of 27-11. Therefore the Fever was winning by a score of 52-39.
You love to see it. Let’s keep this up 👏@Kelz_Hoop: 15p/2a@Teaira_15: 9p/6r/2a@JulieAllemand: 9p/4r/3a/2b
— Indiana Fever ⛹️♀️🏀 (@IndianaFever) August 9, 2020
Candice: 8p/3r/2a@TiffMitch25: 5p/5r/2a pic.twitter.com/bmWW9sm7gp
Another Half, Another Battle
The Fever then hit the court once again for the second half. The Fever needed to continue to play smart and strategic to beat out the reigning champions, while not tiring out players. In the third quarter, both teams scored 18 points. Luckily for the Fever, they had a strong second quarter, so they were still on top. The Fever needed to play one last quarter through the tiredness and persevere to get this needed win.
Time to close 💪 pic.twitter.com/uJqg2nu6Ap
— Indiana Fever ⛹️♀️🏀 (@IndianaFever) August 10, 2020
Many players such as Kelsey Mitchell and Teaira McCowan stepped up throughout the entirety of this game to keep the lead and pull closer to the win. Although the Fever did not outscore the Mystics in the fourth quarter due to the Mystics’ late energy stretch, the Fever still pulled out the win. With the help of their early lead, the Fever was able to pull through. Kelsey Mitchell was that key player for the Fever that helped this team persevere early on and help get their third win of the season with a score of 91-84.
This one feels GOOD 🙌#FeverWin x #ThisIsBallin pic.twitter.com/dAOAGZBH5Z
— Indiana Fever ⛹️♀️🏀 (@IndianaFever) August 10, 2020
Y’all Are Sleeping on The Fever and Their Players…
Kelsey Mitchell is that player for the Fever. She can stretch the floor and is a huge threat at the three-point line. Mitchell has silent but deadly aggression. She made four out of seven three-point shots in tonight’s win. She is aggressive and can also create her own shots at the basket and beyond the paint. K. Mitchell closed it out with 29 points, a huge asset, and contribution to this team win.
Other key players that persevered throughout this game include Teaira McCowan and Tiffany Mitchell. McCowan utilized her height and crashed the boards. Teaira had a double-double in this team win with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Her rebounding capabilities is what the Fever continue to utilize from her and will continue to do so. Another stand out player, Tiffany Mitchell had a great night as well.
Tiffany ended up with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Not only is Tiffany the aggressive player the Fever admires to drive to the basket, but she also has the ability to get her teammates open and give them the ball. Many other players contributed to this team win that the Fever really strived for. Y’all are sleeping on this Fever team and shouldn’t be because they are in town and are ready to play.
OK @TiffMitch25 👏🏾
— Indiana Fever ⛹️♀️🏀 (@IndianaFever) August 10, 2020
The drive & dish 💯 pic.twitter.com/i7KjXdgQfA
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