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All throughout the offseason and training camp, excitement was building about the fast-tempo offense and new-look defense of the Indiana Fever. But when the curtain was pulled back and the regular season began on Friday night on the road in Chicago, it looked as if Indiana might need a few more games to shore up on both sides of the ball as they fell 95-72 to the Sky in their season-opener.

Before the rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals even got underway, the Fever were dealt a blow when it was announced that Tamika Catchings (knee) would be missing the game due to injury (she is listed day-to-day and will also miss Saturday’s game versus Minnesota). And despite a snappy start to the game that featured Marissa Coleman (18 points) scoring the Fever’s first eight points, Indiana was unable to overcome the play of Elena Delle Donne who poured in 31 points while snaring eight rebounds.

After Coleman’s two 3-pointers opened up the scoring for Indiana, the Sky kicked off an 11-0 run which put the Fever in a hole that they were unable to climb out of. Trailing by 13 at the half, the Fever were able to get on an 8-1 run of scoring but Delle Donne quickly answered with four points of her own.

With a new offensive system in place for Indiana, it was clear there were times in which the team just wasn’t on the same page as they turned it over 20 times throughout the game while shooting just 39 percent.

“We are trying to play at a pace we’ve never played before,” coach White said. “We have to eliminate the unforced turnovers.”

Despite the disappointing result, there were some positives from the young players on the Fever. Rookie Natalie Achonwa came off the bench to score 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, while grabbing six rebounds. Layshia Clarendon, who spent the offseason working on her game, looked to be in midseason form as she scored nine points and pulled down four rebounds.

Luckily for the Fever, Catchings’ injury isn’t believed to be serious, and they’ll be returning to the friendly confines of Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday night for their home-opener against the Minnesota Lynx.

It wasn’t the result the Fever wanted, but coach White now has a clearer idea of what needs to be addressed on both sides of the ball to get the team where they need to be.

Washington Mystics vs. Indiana Fever - Game Highlights

Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics - Game Highlights

Game Recap: Fever 72, Sky 95