'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Seattle Storm take on the floundering Indian Fever for the third time this season on Thursday evening. Both teams cannot downplay how important this game could be at this early stage of the season, especially with the lengthy Olympic break looming in a month's time.
Indiana has the league’s worst defensive rating of 109.5 and never seems to put together a particularly telling sequence of results, winning seven and losing 11 of its games, placing the Fever fifth in the Eastern Conference standing. Their defense has also slightly improved over recent weeks, which saw them go on a four-game winning streak before losing to Chicago Sky.
Coach Christie Sides will feel that it was a missed opportunity as the Fever had the more positive second half and were leading the majority of the game, but couldn't claim the win that would've taken them above the Sky's Angel Reese & Co. in the standing.
Trending
It appears as though the Storm are well up for enduring everything that the WNBA has to offer. With five wins and just one defeat in their last six home games, coach Noelle Quinn’s squad is one of the in-form teams in the WNBA. This puts Seattle among New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx as the only teams with just one home loss this season.
As if their road form wasn't impressive enough, it could have been even better. The girls in yellow and green have a 5-5 record; three of those five have come against Lynx. It could be argued that their poor first quarter is what has held them back in this season.
The odds are stacked in the Storm’s favor. These two teams have already met twice this season, with the Fever failing to win any of them. Whether we're in for another similar affair remains to be seen, but it goes without saying that Storm coach Noelle Quinn would greatly appreciate the win rather than anything else.
Indiana Fever vs. Seattle Storm: Injury reports
Indiana Fever injury reports June 27
The Fever received a huge boost, with Temi Fagbenle listed as questionable against the Storm. This marks the first time in 11 games she hasn't been ruled out, hinting at a possible return from her foot injury. Meanwhile, teammate Damaris Dantas carries no injury designation, suggesting she's likely available to play.
Seattle Storm injury reports June 27
The Storm has no fresh injuries to contend with ahead of this one, so they could field a similar starting lineup to the one that won against the Sun at the weekend.
Indiana Fever vs. Seattle Storm: Starting lineups and depth charts
Indiana Fever starting lineup and depth chart
The Fever will rely on their usual creative outlets of Caitlin Clark, Nalyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Kristy Wallace in their starting lineup.
Seattle Storm starting lineup and depth chart
The Storm's expected starting lineup includes Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd, Nneka Ogwumike, Victoria Vivians and Ezi Magbegor.
Indiana Fever vs. Seattle Storm: Key players
Jewell Loyd vs. Caitlin Clark
In terms of scoring, Jewell Loyd has been one of Seattle’s main outlets. The 30-year-old guard has been averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game this season, so she will be looking to add to that tally over the course of the season.
Looking to halt her influence while creating chances of her own will be Fever rookie superstar Caitlin Clark, who has looked impressive. However, getting the better of Loyd may prove to be one of her toughest tests yet.
