unsure of seeding
By ERICKA P. THOMPSON
Before Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings went down with a left foot injury, championship hopes really did spring eternal.
Now that the Fever clinched a playoff berth with a 63-55 win over the Sacramento Monarchs Sunday night, the next step isn’t thinking about capturing the team’s first title, but rather seeding, which will determine how far their run will be.
“We have (four) games left before the playoffs and we’re definitely trying to get home court,” said Tan White. “We also want to continue to better our team chemistry so when the playoffs come, no matter who we face, we’ll feel confident and comfortable.”
If the playoffs started today (at Recorder press time the Fever had yet to take on the Chicago Sky Tuesday), Indiana, a No. 2 seed would face No. 3 the Connecticut Sun who they’re 0-3 against so far this season. The Fever face the Sun one more time during the regular season Aug. 15 at Conseco Fieldhouse.
“We owe them big time,” said White. “We’re playing for home court now. We want to let them know that we can keep up and beat them.”
As for Catchings, coach Brian Winters says the team has no timetable for her return. Catchings has had a torn plantar fascia in her left foot since July 20 and was expected to be out two to three weeks.
Winters says such injuries are difficult to predict.
“It’s a tough injury and people heal differently,” he said. “It’s possible she could miss the rest of the regular season and we have to be prepared for that. However, (Tamika) not returning for the playoffs is all speculation.”
Tickets for the Fever’s first playoff game can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office or at FeverBasketball.com.
