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Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard reacted to Mercedes Russell embarking on a new journey in her WNBA career with the LA Sparks. After playing 187 of her 189 WNBA games with the Seattle Storm (two with the New York Liberty), Russell signed with the Sparks on a two-year deal, the franchise announced on Wednesday.
Howard couldn't hide her excitement and took to Instagram to send a message to Russell, wishing her the best in the next chapter of her career.
"Congratulations sis go be great 🤞🏾," Howard wrote.
Howard and Russell played together from 2018-2020 in Seattle before the three-time WNBA champion joined the New York Liberty in 2021.
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Russell is coming off a quiet season. She started six of her 37 games for the Storm and averaged 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game.
She joins an intriguing project in Los Angeles.
"I am beyond excited to be joining the Sparks family and embracing this next chapter of my life with open arms and excitement," Russell said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience to an organization with such deep history and great fans. Let's go Sparks!"
Howard will also play for a new team next season, having joined the Indiana Fever led by Caitlin Clark. After spending the last two seasons with the Dallas Wings, she returned to the team that originally drafted her and is keen to make a statement with Clark and Co.
Caitlin Clark reacts to Indiana Fever adding Natasha Howard, more veterans
After a strong rookie season in which she helped the Indiana Fever end their playoff drought, Caitlin Clark will look to help the team take another step toward the title. The Fever are considered championship contenders following their offseason moves, which included signing Natasha Howard and DeWanna Bonner, and bringing back Kelsey Mitchell.
"I'm really excited," Clark said to reporters on Tuesday. "I think Kelly (Krauskopf) and Amber (Cox) have done a really good job of finding pieces that fit. It makes me excited about the future. With Steph and her staff coming in here, my ability to work out with Keith all offseason has been really fun, I got to work out with DB (DeWanna Bonner).
Under new coach Stephanie White, the Fever could be poised to make a serious run at the title.
