WNBA Game Preview: New York Liberty (20-13) vs. Indiana Fever (20-12)

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Indiana Fever logo

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | ESPNindystar.com

This is a key Eastern Conference matchup between two teams separated by half a game or less in a crowded playoff race (both around .600+ winning percentage, with several teams tightly packed in the 4–8 range). Indiana has the league’s top offense; New York is surging with a four-game winning streak.

Venue and Broadcast

Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (Fever home arena).

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

TV/Streaming: ESPN (also available via services such as Fubo).

Current Rosters

Indiana Fever (head coach Stephanie White):
Key rotation includes G Kelsey Mitchell (#0), G Caitlin Clark (#22), C/F Aliyah Boston (#7), G Sophie Cunningham (#8), G Lexie Hull (#10), F Monique Billings (#25), F Myisha Hines-Allen (#2), G Tyasha Harris (#52), F/C Makayla Timpson (#21), and others such as Raven Johnson, Grace VanSlooten, Bree Hall, Mercedes Russell, and Ugonne Onyiah. Damiris Dantas is on the roster but out for the season.

New York Liberty (head coach Chris DeMarco):
Core includes F Breanna Stewart (#30), C Jonquel Jones (#35), G Sabrina Ionescu (#20), G Marine Johannes (#23), G Pauline Astier (#18), C Han Xu (#21), G Rebekah Gardner (#7), F Rebecca Allen (#9), and others such as Marine Fauthoux, Raquel Carrera, and Anneli Maley. Satou Sabally and Leonie Fiebich are on the roster but sidelined.

Injury Reports

Fever:

Damiris Dantas (C): Out for season (knee).

Grace VanSlooten (F): Questionable (illness).

Caitlin Clark (G): Probable (back). (A technical foul that risked suspension was rescinded, keeping her eligible.)

Liberty:

Leonie Fiebich (F): Out (foot; no clear timetable).

Satou Sabally (F): Out (concussion protocol).

Key Player Matchups

Caitlin Clark vs. Sabrina Ionescu / Liberty perimeter defense: Clark (≈21.6 PPG, 8.1 APG, strong recent form including double-doubles and a triple-double) orchestrates Indiana’s high-powered attack. Ionescu and New York’s guards must limit her playmaking and transition opportunities while generating their own offense.

Kelsey Mitchell vs. Liberty wing/guard defense: Mitchell is averaging ≈24.2 PPG with a league-record streak of 16 consecutive 20+ point games and elite 3-point shooting. Containing her scoring bursts is critical.

Aliyah Boston vs. Jonquel Jones / Breanna Stewart: Boston (≈16.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, recent double-doubles) anchors the paint and defense. Jones (≈14.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG) and Stewart (≈21.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.5 BPG) present a formidable frontcourt challenge on both ends.

Supporting cast: Marine Johannes has been hot for New York (career-high 27 points in the prior win); Sophie Cunningham, Lexie Hull, and others provide Indiana with shooting and versatility.

Recent Team Forms

Liberty: 4-game winning streak (last 10: 7-3). They are averaging ≈97.7 PPG over the last 10 while shooting well and rebounding strongly. Most recent result: dominant 111-71 home win over a short-handed Las Vegas Aces on August 9 (Marine Johannes 27 points). Prior wins included back-to-back victories over Seattle and a road win at Phoenix. They have stabilized after earlier inconsistency and injuries.

Fever: Won their most recent game (last 10: 7-3), averaging ≈101.6 PPG over that stretch on high-efficiency shooting (≈52% FG). Recent results: 90-86 win at Chicago (August 8), OT loss to Las Vegas (August 6), and a loss at Minnesota. They possess the WNBA’s top offense (≈95.9 PPG) but allow ≈90.4 PPG. Home record strong (11-6 entering the game).

Series History

This is the third of four regular-season meetings in 2026.  June 6, 2026 (at New York): Liberty 83–75.  July 18, 2026 (at Indiana): Fever 108–88 (Mitchell 33 points; Stewart 26 for New York). The teams have a competitive recent history; earlier notes indicate Liberty held an edge in some prior seasons/home games, while Fever have been strong at home this year. All-time series has historically favored Indiana in older tallies, but recent years have been closer. They meet again later in August at Barclays Center.

Betting Trends

Both teams have been solid in recent form (7-3 last 10). Fever rank near the top in scoring; Liberty have been strong overall and on the over in many games this season. Liberty have struggled ATS on the road at times; Fever are competitive at home. Head-to-head and recent meetings have often gone over (high-scoring potential with both offenses capable). Fever’s home scoring and Liberty’s recent offensive surge support an elevated total.

GAME ODDS

New York Liberty             191

Indiana Fever                    – 3

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, August 10, 2026

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