Indiana Fever Make Starting Lineup Change Facing Elimination
The Indiana Fever are facing elimination against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday evening and head coach Christie Sides is making a lineup change.
Indiana lost to Connecticut, 93-69, in Game 1 of the series on Sunday. Caitlin Clark, the WNBA's Rookie of the Year, really struggled. She shot 4 for 17 from the field, including 2 for 13 from 3-point range, and scored just 11 points. But she and her teammates are remaining confident heading into Game 2. Clark said pregame that the team has 40 minutes to save their season.
“Every game means a lot. Coming out with the same intensity, just leave it all out there," Clark said. "Forty minutes, that’s all we’re guaranteed."
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 25: Head coach Christie Sides of the Indiana Fever talks with Caitlin Clark #22 as she checks out of the first quarter of a game against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 25, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Heading into Game 2, head coach Christie Sides is making a starting lineup change.
Temi Fagbenle will be starting in place of NaLyssa Smith.
"Just in: Fever are changing their starting lineup for Game 2. Temi Fagbenle in place of NaLyssa Smith. Tip-off is at 7:30 ET on ESPN," Scott Agness reported just before tipoff.
Smith, a forward, really struggled in Game 1. She scored zero points and grabbed just one rebound in nine minutes of action. Fagbenle, meanwhile, played well, and provides the team with better rim protection.
We'll have to see if the move pays off, though.
Game 2 is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. E.T. and it'll be airing live on ESPN.
