After Griner drilling, winless Fever chase 1st win

Indianapolis, IN — With great change comes great obstacles. The Indiana Fever have faced many challenges this season without Tamika Catchings. The Fever are also adjusting to new head coach Pokey Chatman.

A slow start to the season is not what Indiana wanted. The Fever is 0-2, losing to two west coast teams, the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury.

But, Indiana hopes to turn its slow start into a big win in the home opener against the Connecticut Sun.

Last Time Out

The Indiana Fever struggled against the Phoenix Mercury from start to finish. The Mercury sprinted out to a 9 point lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. Indiana had an absymal second period. The Phoenix defense smothered the Fever’s offense allowing only two field goals. At the half, Phoenix had racked up a 52-29 advantage.

The second half was not much better for Indiana, who could not find an answer for Brittney Griner. Griner notched a career high 32 points to go along with 10 rebounds.

“I have to give credit to Griner,” coach Pokey Chatman said. “When she hits that sky hook from 10-feet, you can’t even send a double-team at her. When she gets into a rhythm early, she’s tough to stop.”

The Mercury dominated the Fever, 85-62.

In her return to Phoenix, Candice Dupree led the Fever with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Tiffany Mitchell and Natalie Achonwa each added 11 points.

Leading the Fever

Through two games, the Fever have four players averaging double-figures: Mitchell leads Indiana averaging 14 points on 55% shooting. Briann January is tallying 13.5 points, while Shenise Johnson is adding 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4 assists. Dupree wraps up the leading scorers with 11 points and 6 rebounds.

Scouting the Sun

The Connecticut Sun are entering its second game on the season. After dropping its first game against the Atlanta Dream, 81-74, the Sun look to knock Indiana out.

Morgan Tuck led the Sun in the loss with 21 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Courtney Williams added 18 points on 57% shooting, while Jasmine Thomas racked up 14 points and 3 assists. Jonquel Jones pulled down a career-best 20 rebounds.

Connecticut is shooting 36.5% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc.

Game Notes

Connecticut owns the overall series against Indiana, 36-28. However, the Fever have beaten the Sun 17 times at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Tip Off

The Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun face off at 7 PM ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.