The Indiana Fever and New York Liberty meet on Wednesday night at Barclays Center. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM ET. Indiana is coming off a win Tuesday night in Boston, while New York is rested and at home with a 14-6 record.
This is the third meeting of the season between these teams. Indiana won both previous games in June, 102-88 and 90-88. New York took the earlier May matchups, including a 104-68 blowout. Indiana sits at 12-10 and third in the East, while the Liberty hold the top spot in the standings.
Caitlin Clark remains the center of attention for the Fever, especially after grabbing at her groin in the final minute of Tuesday’s win. She scored 14 points, but again struggled from deep, going 1-for-7 from three. Clark has made only 2 of 35 threes on the road this season.
New York staged a big comeback win against Atlanta on Sunday, erasing a 19-point deficit. Leonie Fiebich led the way with a career-high 21 points on 8-for-9 shooting. The Liberty now sit at 9-2 at home this season and could benefit from Indiana’s short rest and travel.
Liberty Preview – Backcourt Needs to Find Rhythm
New York comes in at 14-6 overall and 9-2 at home. They’ve won three of their last four games. The team continues to lean on Breanna Stewart, who had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists in their win over Atlanta.
Sabrina Ionescu struggled in that game, going just 3-for-20 from the field and 0-for-7 from deep. Despite that, she is still averaging 18.8 points per game on the season. Jonquel Jones remains out with an ankle injury, so the Liberty continue to adjust their rotation inside.
The Liberty are shooting 46.0% from the field, the best mark in the league. They rank third in scoring at 84.1 points per game and allow 79.3. They are also one of the top rebounding teams at 36.5 per game, and they do a solid job protecting the rim and forcing steals.
Fiebich has been a boost off the bench and shot 50% from three this season. New York’s depth has made up for stretches of poor shooting from starters. They’ll look to lean on that against a Fever team playing on no rest.
Fever Preview – Clark’s Status a Big Question
Indiana is 12-10 and 6-4 on the road after beating Connecticut on Tuesday. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 20 points, and NaLyssa Smith added 18 points and 13 rebounds. Clark had 14 points, 7 assists, and 8 rebounds, but showed signs of pain late in the game.
Indiana coach Stephanie White said they’ll evaluate Clark’s groin, which already caused her to miss four games this season. With the All-Star break coming up and Clark scheduled for events, the Fever could opt to rest her. The team has won four straight games entering this one.
Indiana ranks third in the WNBA in points per game at 84.1. But they’re dead last in first, second, third, and fourth quarter scoring. They often get their points in streaks and rely heavily on transition play. The Fever shoot 33.8% from three and rank second in field goal percentage at 46.0%.
Defensively, Indiana gives up 79.3 points per game and ranks just 10th in rebounding. If Clark sits, they’ll need another big game from Mitchell and Smith. Aliyah Boston will also be key inside with Jones out for New York.
Betting Prediction
New York is favored at home, and the total sits around 169.5. Indiana is playing on short rest and might be without Clark, which would change the dynamic of the game. The Liberty have more size and depth, especially if Ionescu can bounce back from a rough shooting night.
New York has been strong at home and is 8-2 in the last 10 matchups against the Fever. Indiana has covered in both meetings this year, but both were at home. On the road and maybe without their top star, they may not keep up. Predicted score: New York 86, Indiana 77.
Pick: New York -6.5
