Storm vs. Fever Match Preview: Can Caitlin Clark Prove Her Lost Dominance? Injury Report, Starting Lineup and Prediction

The Indiana Fever is heading to the West, yet again for the second time this season for tomorrow’s matchup at the Climate Pledge Arena where the Seattle Storm will be waiting for them. Caitlin Clark and her squad recently took an up-close 88-87 hit from the Chicago Sky. Before this defeat, the Fever was maintaining a 4-game winning streak, which looked like sweet rain after a dry spell.

On the other hand, the Storm is coming (pun intended), but indeed it is coming from a 72-61 win over the Connecticut Sun, and keeping their record at 10 wins and 6 losses. So, let’s get into the details.

Caitlin Clark and Co. looking to bring back the dominance

Picked up as the No.1 overall draft pick, the Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been drawing in crowds with her stellar threes and playing style. Despite being a rookie, she is averaging 16.3 points per game with 5.4 rebounds alongside. Moreover, she is leading the team with 6.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Clark, who rules the floor beyond the arc, has also taken charge of shooting on the frontcourt, with her sick moves in the paint.

Playing beside Clark is Aliyah Boston, who is playing her second season in the WNBA. Both Clark and Boston deliver a unique chemistry while being a combined force on the court. With her 6-foot-5 frame, Boston is reigning on both ends of the court, averaging a team-high 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, and scoring 13 points, 2.7 assists, and 0.8 steals per game along with that.

This brings us to one of the vets on Fever’s roster, Kelsey Mitchell who is playing her 7th season in the WNBA. With her game, Mitchell exemplifies relentless strength as she defied the odds and rose from her injuries in the past, delivering an average of 16.4 points (highest among her teammates), 1.7 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game.

Next up is NaLyssa Smith, who is in her third season in the W and averaging 11.8 points, 7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and o.7 steals. However, she scored better with 50% of field goals and 68.1% free throws. On the other hand, Kristy Wallace is slowly putting her game in motion with 5.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.9 steals per game.

Talking about roster injuries, Fever’s center Temi Fagbenle is the only ring bearer on the team, who faced an injury on her left foot during a game against the Sparks late last month. This year, she is playing her 8th season as a WNBA pro, making her the most seasoned contributor on the team. Recently, she returned to formal practice and is questionable to play tomorrow.

As for the Seattle Storm, there aren’t any players sidelined due to injury, so let’s jump into their stats and gameplay.

The Seattle Storm looking to regain its strength

Ranking at #2 in the Western Conference with a record of 10-6, the Seattle Storm is being led by Olympian Jewell Loyd at 18.4 points, along with 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game. Before tomorrow, the Storm has crossed paths with the Fever, twice and grabbed a win both times. As a result, they need to toughen up this time as the Fever will be looking to avenge those previous losses.

Packed with vets, the Storm is moving forward with a seasoned depth on their roster including Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith as the vets among the starting five. Leading the team in rebounds and blocks with her 6-foot-4 frame, Ezi Magbegor is in her 5th season and averaging 13.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game. Whereas, Skylar Diggins-Smith is leading the roster in assists at 6.1. Along with that, she is averaging 14.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and o.9 blocks per game.

Stealing most of the shots, Nneka Ogwumike is delivering 1.9 steals per game. Also, she is scoring 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.5 blocks per game. On the other hand, rookie Jordan Horston has brought with her the young energy on Storm’s roster with her average of 7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.

As the pattern seems to prevail, the Fever will need to limit the Storm to scoring below 80 points, as it increases their chances of registering a win. As for the Storm, they have been on the winning end so far with their collective scoring reaching above 100 points. Hence, it will be an interesting showdown between two great teams of this season.

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