Sydney

Colson

Mitchell had a more muted evening against the Sparks, which might have come from the Fever guard being at the top of the Sparks’ scouting report since Mitchell had been on an absolute scoring tear as of late. She wasn’t very efficient only scoring 12 points on 14 total shots. It’s worth noting that Mitchell’s free throw attempts from Friday night were a bit low as she often puts a lot of pressure on the rim coming from her speedy drives. Teammate Sydney Colson took to the internet to express her frustration with how Mitchell has been officiated this season, writing that Mitchell needs to get the same whistle that other stars in the league receive.

After averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in four games while filling in for the injured for the season Sydney Colson (left knee), Aari McDonald (right foot), and rehabbing star Caitlin Clark (right groin and left ankle), the Fever signed Sims to a third 7-day contract. This is the final 7-day contract she can sign before she’s eligible for a rest-of-season contract.

Tuesday night was a difficult evening for Boston who scored in double figures, but struggled defensively and was limited as a playmaker, something that the Fever desperately need being down all three of their point guards in Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson. Three of Boston’s five made field goals were on offensive rebounds. She cleaned up two of her own shots in addition to a miss from Natasha Howard. While Boston struggled defending Li Yueru on post-ups, she was able to defend the Wings’ front court well on drives to the basket. She picked up two blocks with one coming against Li and another on a shot from German center Luisa Geiselsöder.

Already playing without Caitlin Clark, the Fever lost guards Sydney Colson (knee) and Aari McDonald (foot) to season-ending injuries during Thursday’s loss to the Mercury. Per WNBA rules, Indiana had to wait until after Saturday’s win over the Sky to sign a guard to a hardship contract. On Sunday, the team announced that it had signed Sims. The veteran guard began this season as a starter with the Sparks before leaving the team for personal reasons in June. Waived on July 2, Sims has played 11 seasons in the WNBA, averaging 11.2 points and 3.8 assists per game. She’ll figure prominently in the Fever rotation until Clark returns from her strained groin.

The injury-hit Fever have undergone another starting lineup change, this time with Hull replacing the injured Aari McDonald. McDonald suffered a season-ending ankle injury against the Mercury on Thursday, and Sydney Colson (knee) was also lost for the season in Thursday’s contest. Including Caitlin Clark’s absence (groin), the Fever are without a natural starting point guard for Saturday’s game against the Sky and will likely rely on Kelsey Mitchell to be the main initiator on offense as they look to avoid a third straight loss.

Clark, the first-overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, will miss her seventh consecutive game on Saturday as she continues to recover from a groin injury. The Fever’s frontcourt will also be without Sydney Colson (knee) and Aari McDonald (ankle), after the two guards suffered season-ending injuries in Thursday’s loss to the Mercury. With Indiana down three point guards, fantasy managers could expect to see more minutes for Lexie Hull off the bench, while Kelsey Mitchell potentially claims the lead ball-handling role for the time being.

Indiana’s loss to the Mercury on Thursday was brutal, not only because of the 95-60 final score. Already playing without Caitlin Clark, the Fever lost two rotation guards to season-ending injuries. Colson exited during the first half with a left knee injury that has been confirmed as a torn ACL, and Aari McDonald suffered a broken bone in her right foot. The injuries will place even more responsibility upon the shoulders of Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham. Also, Indiana will likely have to make a few hardship signings until they get Clark back. Per WNBA rules, the Fever cannot make a hardship signing until after their next game, Saturday against Chicago.

Colson’s injury occurred near the end of the first quarter on Thursday, when she went down without contact, after trying to secure an offensive rebound near Indiana’s bench. She stayed on the floor for a while before being helped to the locker room, where she was replaced by Sophie Cunningham and ultimately ruled out during the second quarter. Colson, a veteran guard, had been a part-time starter this season but was most recently serving as a reserve to provide backcourt depth off the bench. The severity of her injury is yet to be determined.

After initially being listed as questionable, Clark has officially been downgraded to out. Her injury occurred in the final minute of Indiana’s win over Connecticut on Tuesday while Clark was attempting to operate the offense while using a live dribble. She left the game and didn’t finish, and as a result, she will now miss her 10th game of the season. Aari McDonald replaced Clark in the starting lineup during the 2024 Rookie of the Year’s most recent missed time due to injury. McDonald and Sydney Colson are candidates to see more opportunities on Wednesday.

Clark being ruled questionable is a surprise considering how much pain she looked like she was in once she strained her right groin in during the final minute of the Fever’s 85-77 win over the Sun on Tuesday night. If Clark is ruled out, expect Aari McDonald to start and Sydney Colson to earn more minutes.