It’s clear a couple of games into the season that Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White is going to be demanding of her team regardless of the situations.
So coming off their first victory of the season, the Fever will look for upgrades when they meet the visiting Washington Mystics on Friday night in Indianapolis.
It’s a relatively quick turnaround for the Fever (1-1), who won 87-78 against the host Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night. Caitlin Clark’s 24 points and nine assists and Kelsey Mitchell’s 23 points led Indiana in that game.
“I want more,” White said. “Coaches always want more. That’s the nature of the beast.”
The Mystics (1-1) haven’t played since Sunday’s 98-93 overtime loss to the visiting New York Mystics.
Close games — the first two have been decided by a combined eight points — have provided good learning opportunities for Washington’s reserve players.
“We’re going to try to put you in really good situations,” Mystics coach Sydney Johnson said. “We’re going to try to build on your skill set. We’re going to develop, develop, develop. … We are not surprised in any way that our reserve players come in and impact the game.”
Starting forward Kiki Iriafen, who has led the Mystics in rebounding in both games, scored a team-high 20 points in the New York game. The second-year player is part of the young core for Washington.
Johnson said the Mystics can lean on the youth.
“I think they think they’re good, which they are,” Johnson said. “It’s fun that they’ve arrived to D.C. with that confidence. … You just can’t get it done at this level without knowing you’re good.”
Guard Georgia Amoore played 21 minutes in the last game for the Mystics — six less than any other starter. That came partly by design.
“She’s coming back from an ACL (injury) and we really want to get a full season out of her,” Johnson said. “So we’re just being mindful of her minutes and trying not to overdo it.”
Amoore has been a starter, averaging 6.5 points in what amounts to as part-time minutes so far.
For the Fever, Clark is 3-for-16 on 3-pointers early this season.
“I obviously haven’t shot the ball as well as I’d like the first two games. But my shot feels great,” Clark said. “I feel it’s right there, but I haven’t let that bother my mind for these first two games.”
–Field Level Media
