Indiana Fever (9-20) vs Washington Mystics (16-12)
Date: Sunday, August 20, 2017
Time: 5:00 p.m. (EDT)
Site: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: NBA TV
Live Stream: WNBA League Pass
Probable Starters
Fever: F- Jazmon Gwathmey, F- Candice Dupree, C- Natalie Achonwa, G- Erica Wheeler, G- Briann January
Mystics: F- Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, F- Emma Meeseman, C- Krystal Thomas, G- Kristi Toliver, G- Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
The Indiana Fever hopes to regroup Sunday against the Washington Mystics, following a blowout loss Friday at Minnesota. It is the fourth and final time the Fever and Mystics meet in 2017, with Washington already claiming three wins in the series.
The Fever hope to remain in contention for a 13th consecutive playoff spot while the Mystics, tied for fourth in the WNBA, are vying for a first-round playoff bye that comes with each of the top four playoff seeds.
Storylines & Promotion
• The Fever fell 111-52 at Minnesota in a game that was largely decided by the Lynx’ 37 consecutive points during a WNBA-record run in the first half. Jazmon Gwathmey scored a 3-pointer on the game’s first possession and paced the Fever with 12 points and three steals. Candice Dupree added 11 points for her seventh straight game in double figures.
• Jazmon Gwathmey has played her way into a solid role in her first season with the Fever, starting the past two games including a 10-point effort against the Mystics in Washington last Saturday. Over her last nine games, she has averaged 9.3 points and 3.2 rebounds while contributing 14 assists, 10 steals and 10 blocks.
• A six-time All-Star, Dupree has collected double-digit scoring in 24 of her 28 games in a Fever uniform. She currently ranks in the WNBA’s top 25 in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and minutes per game.
• Washington fell 89-79 to Phoenix on Friday in the nation’s capital. Tied at 56 through three quarters, the Mystics were unable to contain Diana Taurasi and the Mercury in the fourth quarter.
• Indiana lost 100-80 at Washington just eight days ago in a game that featured a 48-minute delay due to a leaking roof at Capital One Arena. The Mystics raced to an 18-5 lead and never trailed. Former Fever star Krystal Thomas paced Washington with 14 rebounds and a career-high 14 points.
• Indiana has surrendered 100 points in consecutive games for the first time in club history, and at least 80 points in nine consecutive games.
• Earlier this week, the Fever announced Tiffany Mitchell would miss the rest of the season with torn cartilage and a bone bruise in her right knee. She joins backcourt mate Shenise Johnson among Fever stars out for the season with injury. Similarly, Washington is without guard Tayler Hill who sustained a season-ending knee injury during the Mystics’ last visit to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. All-Star forward Elena Delle Donne has missed two weeks of action with a thumb injury.
• The Mystics are tied with New York in a race for the No. 4 seed in the upcoming playoffs. The fourth seed draws a first-round bye and earns a second-round home game. Indiana can help shape the playoff picture with Wednesday’s home date against the Liberty among four straight games against playoff contenders. Indiana, meanwhile, can be eliminated from playoff contention with just one loss.
• Sunday is the 68th meeting between the Fever and Mystics, with Indiana owning 40 wins in the series. Washington, though, has won all three meetings this season, and six of the past seven dating to 2015.
•Both teams are anticipated to stand for unity during the national anthem. In a display of leadership, Fever and Mystics players are expected to stand with locked arms during the national anthem of this weekend’s games, symbolizing unity against bigotry, hate and racism. WNBA President Lisa Borders issued the following statement: “We fully support our players, who are offering a demonstration of unity that we hope America can emulate in the wake of the tragic events in Charlottesville. We offer our sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our support to those who were injured during the inexcusable violence that transpired.”