The Indiana Fever will take on the Atlanta Dream in their first (and only) home game of the WNBA preseason on May 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The matchup was originally scheduled for May 10, but due to the Indiana Pacers making a playoff run, it was rescheduled.
The last meeting between the two teams was on Aug. 27, 2023, with head coach of the Indiana Fever Christie Sides masterminding an 83-80 victory against her former team.
Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark is projected to start in the matchup alongside guard Erica Wheeler, forwards Katie Lou Samuelson, NaLyssa Smith and reigning Rookie of the Year Award winner Aliyah Boston.
Boston is the first player in franchise history selected with the No. 1 overall draft pick (2023), while Clark is the second player drafted with the same pick (2024).
Clark is poised for success in the WNBA, coming into the league as the all-time scoring leader in men’s and women’s college basketball with 3,951 points. In her first preseason game against the Dallas Wings on May 3, Clark tallied 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 76-79 loss.
During her rookie campaign, Boston put up historic numbers, including the most blocks in a season by a first-year Fever player (50). Boston also became the first rookie to lead the league in a field goal percentage at 57.8%. She was also selected as an all-star last year. Currently, Boston is averaging eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game.
Smith, who is in her third season, is averaging 20 points, five rebounds and one block per contest. Last year, Smith set the franchise record for most double-doubles in a season with 13. Smith also racked up 500 career rebounds in 59 games, a feat accomplished in fewer games any other player in Fever history.
Smith stressed the importance of the team meshing well early in the season.
“Everyone is pulling for each other,” Smith said after the Dallas Wings game on May 3.
Veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell remains out with an ankle injury.
You can watch the Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game on the WNBA App or WNBA League Pass.
Contact multi-media & sports reporter Noral Parham III at (317)-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral. For more Indiana Fever news courtesy of the Indianapolis Recorder, click here.
