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Posts tagged as “Indiana”

Indiana Fever official introduce Stephanie White as the Team’s Head Coach

It’s official, Indiana Fever has introduce Stephanie White as the Fever’s Head Coach. Joining her in the introductory press conference, is newly minted Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Amber Cox, Kelly Krauskopf, the Fever’s President of Basketball and Business Operations, with Fever Superstars Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull.

You can watch the 28-mins Introductory Press Conference below;

An Indiana native, Stephanie White earn the moniker Indiana Miss Basketball at Seeger High School in West Lebanon, then in college while in Purdue, led the Boilermakers to the 1999 NCAA National Championship.

Stephanie White spent five seasons in the WNBA, the majority with the Fever, joining the team for their inaugural season in 2000. Her contributions to the franchise are significant, as she ranks among the top 20 in games played, assists, steals, and three-point field goals made.

Stephanie White is a seasoned WNBA coach, spending 17 seasons of experience as a player and coach in the league. She previously led the Indiana Fever, guiding them to the 2015 WNBA Finals and the 2016 playoffs. Her coaching journey also includes assistant roles with the Fever, Chicago Sky, and various collegiate teams, highlighting her diverse experience and strategic acumen.

Here’s an exclusive 1-on-1 interview of the new Indiana Fever Head Coach Stephanie White with Pat Boylan.

Indiana Fever announces Stephanie White as new Head Coach

Five days after parting ways with Christie Sides, the Indiana Fever announces that their new Head Coach will be Stephanie White.

She will inherit an up and coming Indiana Fever, lead by Caitlin Clark and last year’s Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston.

An Indiana native, Stephanie White earn the moniker Indiana Miss Basketball at Seeger High School in West Lebanon, then in college while in Purdue, led the Boilermakers to the 1999 NCAA National Championship.

Stephanie White spent five seasons in the WNBA, the majority with the Fever, joining the team for their inaugural season in 2000. Her contributions to the franchise are significant, as she ranks among the top 20 in games played, assists, steals, and three-point field goals made.

Stephanie White is a seasoned WNBA coach, spending 17 seasons of experience as a player and coach in the league. She previously led the Indiana Fever, guiding them to the 2015 WNBA Finals and the 2016 playoffs. Her coaching journey also includes assistant roles with the Fever, Chicago Sky, and various collegiate teams, highlighting her diverse experience and strategic acumen.

In addition to their announcement, the Indiana Fever release a tribute video of Stephanie White’s basketball career.

Indiana Fever has let go of head coach Christie Sides after a Historic Season with Rookie Superstar Caitlin Clark

It appears that Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will have a new Head Coach next season, as the team announced that they have parted ways with Christie Sides.

In their announcement, “We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons, while also positioning us well for future growth,” said Fever President of Basketball Operations Kelly Krauskopf. “While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future.”

Christie Sides still have 2 years remaining in his 4-year contract with the team and in those two years she had 33-47 (.413) regular-season record, which includes the 20-20 this season and making it to the playoffs since 2016. It’s unclear why Sides was let go but it could have been the 1 – 8 “slow” start of the season and the sweep in the postseason, even though the team had the best offensive rating (109.6 points per 100 possessions) in the league after the Olympic break.

Indiana Fever will be the sixth WNBA team to part ways with their coach, together with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics. Then add the management change of the Las Vegas Aces.

Caitlin Clark drains 25-straight threes during an offseason workout

Caitlin Clark is entering Steph Curry territory with her shooting!

It is currently off-season for Caitlin and the entire WNBA. Clark is schedule to participate in the coming LPGA pro-am at The Annika this November.

In an article on Sports Illustrated, Scott Agness of “Fieldhouse Files with Scott Agness” explained that Catlin Clark is practicing in the old practice court of the Indiana Pacers, “Fever use the practice court inside The Fieldhouse, what used to be for the Pacers. Now the Pacers have a $50M facility across the street, the St. Vincent Center, which opened in 2017,”

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese named as one of the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team

Together with the announcement of the Rookie of the Year, WNBA also announced the players for the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team, that includes Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, arguably the two most popular of the 2024 rookie class.

  • Caitlin Clark (IND)
  • Rickea Jackson (LAS)
  • Angel Reese (CHI)
  • Kamilla Cardoso (CHI)
  • Leonie Fiebich (NYL)

Caitlin Clark bags 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award

WNBA News:

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been named the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year, the WNBA announced today. She gives the Fever back-to-back winners of the annual award after Indiana forward-center Aliyah Boston earned the honor last season.

Clark received 66 votes from a national panel of 67 sportswriters and broadcasters. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese received one vote.

After weeks of waiting, the WNBA has officially named Caitlin Clark as the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award. The announcement of the ROTY award have been controversial, since the league had been delayed its announcement, the league announced the MVP awards, took home by A’ja Wilson, last Sept. 22nd.

Connecticut Sun sweeps Indiana Fever, will face Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Semifinals (87 – 81)   

ESPN;

Alyssa Thomas and the Connecticut Sun were happy to finally close out an opening round series at home in two games.

Thomas had 19 points and 13 assists to help the Sun sweep Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever out of the playoffs with an 87-81 win Wednesday night.

Compared to Game 1, Indiana’s “Big 3” played a much better game; Caitlin Clark scored 25 points and 9 assists, Aliyah Boston had 16 points and 19 rebounds, while Kelsey Mitchell added had 17 points but committed 5 turnovers. But it was Sun’s veteran players who carried the team with five players scoring in double digits points.

Connecticut Sun will now face Minnesota Lynx, who swept the Phoenix Mercury, this Sunday, September 29, 2024 at the Target Center, Minneapolis.

Connecticut Sun defeated Indiana Fever in their First Playoff Game since 2016 (93 – 69)   

Branden Kaneshiro, writing for The Lead;

The Sun cruised to a 93-69 victory in Game One. Led by a triple-double from Alyssa Thomas and 22 points on 63.6% shooting from DeWanna Bonner, the Sun completely outmatched the Fever.

The offensive firepower was not all that went well for Connecticut in game one. The Sun’s defense was their key to victory on Monday. Connecticut was able to contain Mitchell and Clark to 45% and 23.5% shooting, respectively. If the Sun can replicate their defensive success in game 2 (and the rest of the playoffs) they will be a hard team to beat.

It was not just Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, who had a bad Game 1, as a team Indiana Fever shot 27-67, 40.3%!!! from the field and 6-28, that’s a measly 21.4%, from the three-point line, the Fever did manage to reduce their turnover to just 13 TO.

Game 2 will be this Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

Caitlin Clark WNBA records: Indiana Fever honors to know   

Keith Jenkins, writing for ESPN;

Here’s a look at Clark’s professional accolades:

▪︎ WNBA rookie single-season scoring record.

▪︎ WNBA single-season record for assists.

▪︎ Set franchise record for most double-doubles in a season with Indiana Fever.

▪︎ Set franchise record for most three-pointers in a season with Indiana Fever.

▪︎ First WNBA rookie to record two triple-doubles.

▪︎ WNBA single-season rookie record for three-pointers.

▪︎ WNBA single-season rookie record for assists.

▪︎ WNBA single-season turnover record.

▪︎ Most assists by a rookie in WNBA All-Star Game history (10).

▪︎ WNBA Rookie of the Month for July.

▪︎ WNBA single-game record for assists (19).

▪︎ First triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history and first triple-double in Fever history.

▪︎ Ninth rookie to be named a WNBA All-Star starter.

▪︎ Only player with more than 700,000 votes for the WNBA All-Star Game.

▪︎ Fastest player to reach 350 points and 150 assists to start a WNBA season (regardless of years in the league).

▪︎ Twenty points, three assists, two steals and 10 turnovers in her WNBA debut on May 14.

▪︎ No. 1 overall pick by Indiana Fever in 2024 WNBA draft on April 15.

Calling Caitlin Clark’s rookie season “LEGENDARY” would be an understatement.

Indiana Fever fall to the Las Vegas Aces as A’ja Wilson breaks WNBA Single-Season Scoring Record   

ESPN WNBA;

A’ja Wilson became the WNBA’s single-season scoring leader and finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds to help the Las Vegas Aces beat the Indiana Fever 86-75 on Wednesday night for their 14th straight win in the series.

Wilson passed Jewell Loyd’s total of 939 points on a jumper from the free-throw line with 26.4 seconds left before halftime. Wilson needed just 35 games to top last year’s record by Loyd, who needed 38 games. Wilson’s previous high was 912 points, set in 40 games last season.

She finished the game with 956 points this season and could potentially be the first player in league history to reach 1,000 in a year.

This is a good measuring stick for the Fever to gauge on how they fare against the best team and facing the best player in the WNBA. Add the shooting woes of Caitlin Clark and foul trouble on Aliyah Boston. Kelsey Mitchell, as always kept them in the game but not enough for them to overcome the 12-point deficit.

Las Vegas Aces is the only team that the Indiana Fever have not beat this season and they will have another chance this Saturday, Sept 14th.

Indiana Fever sweeps Atlanta Dream in their last game (100 – 104)

Michael Voepel, ESPN Senior Writer;

The Indiana Fever had their biggest comeback win of the WNBA season Sunday, rallying from a 16-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Dream 104-100 in overtime at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

One heck of a game by Indiana Fever, erasing a 16-point deficit and winning in OT. A monster game from Indiana Fever’s Big 3; Caitlin Clark had 26 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds, her fifth 25 and 10 game of the season. Aliyah Boston scored a career-high 30 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and 5 assists, while Kelsey Mitchell added 21 points.

The scores;
Atlanta Dream 100 – N. Hillmon 5, T. Charles 17, A. Gray 15, J. Canada 17, R. Howard 36, N. Coffey 5, L. Cubaj 2, M. Caldwell 3, H. Jones 0, C. Parker-Tyus DNP, L. Amihere DNP, A. Powers DNP

Indiana Fever 104 – N. Smith 6, A. Boston 30, K. Mitchell 21, L. Hull 12, C. Clark 26, D. Dantas 0, K. Samuelson 0, T. Fagbenle 9, E. Wheeler 0, V. Saxton DNP, K. Wallace DNP, G. Berger DNP

1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr OT Total
Atlante Dream 21 27 21 21 10 100
Indiana Fever 22 22 22 24 14 104

Napheesa Collier’s 26 points powers Minnesota Lynx win over Indiana Fever (99 – 88)   

ESPN WNBA;

Napheesa Collier scored nine of her 26 points in the third quarter, Bridget Carleton made three 3-pointers in the final four minutes and the Minnesota Lynx overcame a 25-point night by Caitlin Clark to snap Indiana’s five-game winning streak with a 99-88 win over the Fever on Friday night.

The Indiana Fever are 7 – 3 in their last 10 games, two of those loses are from Minnesota Lynx. This may very well be a playoff preview between Minnesota Lynx (2nd) and Indiana Fever (6th), that is if the Fever are able to go deep in the post season.

Fever’s “Big Three” had a huge game but not enough to get the win.

Caitlin Clark scored 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and Aliyah Boston scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, while Kelsey Mitchell added 23 points.

Indiana Fever Clinch 2024 Playoff Spot   

WNBA;

Following losses from the Atlanta Dream and Chicago Sky on Tuesday night, the Indiana Fever officially clinched a spot in the WNBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2016 regular season.

The 2024 postseason will be the franchise’s 14th playoff appearance as Indiana reached the playoffs 12 consecutive times from 2005-2016 and made its first postseason appearance in 2002. The 2024 WNBA postseason will begin on Sunday, September 22.

How the playoff works in the WNBA?

The top eight teams regardless of conference will qualify for the playoffs and be seeded based on their record. The first playoff round follows a best-of-three format where the teams are seeded based on their regular-season record. The first-round series games will include a 2-1 format in which the higher seed will host Games 1 and 2 and the lower seed will host Game 3 if necessary. The semifinals and WNBA Finals will each feature a best-of-five series following the 2-2-1 format with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and 5, and the lower-seeded team will host Games 3 and 4 in their respective series.

With their current seeding, the Indiana Fever (6th) will face the Minnesota Lynx (3rd) in the first round of the playoffs. But with seven more games remaining, the Fever could end up higher in the standings.

Boston Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers to win the 2024 Eastern Conference Championship

The Boston Celtics are headed back to the NBA Finals! They punched their ticket to the championship series after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in a tightly contested Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals (105-102).

The win capped off a dominant series sweep for the Celtics, showcasing their resilience and championship mettle. The Pacers, however, shouldn’t leave empty-handed. They pushed the Celtics to the limit, especially in a nail-biting fourth quarter of Game 4.

It was a close game, with both teams trading baskets and neither side able to establish a significant lead. The largest lead for either team was 9 points. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 29 points, while Jayson Tatum chipped in with 26 points. Jalen Brown wins the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP. As for the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard had a monstrous double-double with 24 points and 10 assists with 6 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Pacers missed the services of star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was sidelined by a left hamstring injury.

The final minutes of the game were a heart-stopping display of clutch plays. With the score tied and seconds remaining, Jalen Brown found Derek White for a 23-foot three-point jumper that sealed the win for Boston. The Pacers had a chance to respond, but their final shot attempt fell short.

With the series win, the Celtics return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2020, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. This is a much younger team compared to their previous championship run, but they’ve shown a maturity and composure beyond their years.

They’ll now await their opponent, who will be determined in the ongoing Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Final 4 of the NBA In-Season Tournament are now Complete

We now have the Final 4 teams for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, which will be held in Las Vegas this 7th of December.

Semis

For the West side, it will be between LA Lakers versus New Orleans Pelicans, then for the East Side, we have Indiana Pacers against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Finals

The two winners for games between; LA Lakers versus New Orleans Pelicans, and Indiana Pacers against the Milwaukee Bucks, will once again play for the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship, which the league is calling ‘The NBA Cup’. Games will also be in Las Vegas and will be on Dec. 9th.