Minnesota Lynx vs Indiana Fever 2017 WNBA (Aug 30)

at the starting lineups first for the Indiana Fever it's the starting five that has become the norm necessitated by injury Natalie Achon wa in the middle wheeler and Gwathmey in the backcourt candice Dupree who has been in double figures in 27 of four of her 31 games with Indiana this season and for Minnesota it's missing one named Lindsay Whalen who was injured in early August a broken finger she hopes to be back around playoff time but they've had to get by without her in fact they're 4 and 5 without Lindsay Whalen still plenty of firepower in the line of Sylvia Fowles the expected MVP Maya Moore a former MVP and Simone Augustus a gold medal winner along with Minnesota's experienced house'll tip for Minnesota its Natalie a Chon before the fever fouls wins the tip but tips it back into Indiana hands and Erica wheeler will run the point for the fever guarded by Anne Renee Montgomery straight up top she'll feed to Dupree around to the left side to Coleman more digging at it couldn't take it and it goes into the hands have blocked me with the shot clock at 10 and Glock Me's Aaron Pass is taken away by Rebekkah Brunson the fever who were turning it over amongst the best in the WNBA at the beginning of the season our last in the league from July forward as Sylvia Fowles goes and one in the posts and fouls to the foul line looking to complete the three-point play Indiana got their best win of the season on August 6 that was when Minnesota came to town a 20 and 2 record visiting Bankers Life Fieldhouse and they got Sylvia Fowles into all kinds of foul trouble she played just 20 minutes and fouls scored just six points in that August 6th game already with three early the likely MVP Manning the middle for Minnesota wheeler on a crossover dribble running point guard with Breanna January sidelined for the rest of the year Dupree glides in back out to wheeler wheeler accelerates into the lane over Brunson and her left pan shot goes off Erica wheeler who's averaging 15 a game in her last three career highs in points assists and rebounds in her 2017 season simone augustus up top to maya moore the inexperienced jazmine Gwathmey guarding her and maya moore goes straight to the rim and draws a foul on block me it's your number two for jazmine to the WNBA and she is seeing her most playing time of her career in the back half of this season she's rewarded pokey Chapman who's inserted her into the starting lineup back in July as more sync the first more on her seventh year out of UConn gets it to go the Lynx who were 20 and 2 in the beginning of August lost Lindsay Whalen they appeared to be running away with the number one overall seed in the WNBA as wheeler launches a three and hits a couple early shots for Erica wheeler she has five Minnesota though has one just four of their last nine games and with a loss to Los Angeles back on Sunday they'll need to win the rest of these three to guarantee themselves the one seat Augustus crossing over going through Pullman and on three possessions from Minnesota Indiana has been called for their third foul Marissa Coleman is charged with this one the original on Natalie Achon WA and Jasmine blocked me in Indiana who got Minnesota into foul trouble in their previous meeting back here at Bankers Life Fieldhouse it's the third meeting of the three teams and they've all come in August the third and the final as Augustus sinks the first a minute and a half in three fouls on the fever and Minnesota has taken just one shot simone augustus to the line she buries a pair in minnesota with an early 7 to 5 lead all 5 from Indiana come from Ericka wheeler she's taken the two shots for the fever as she crosses the time line with a crossover dribble guarded by Montgomery we're looking for a scream from Dupree it's not they're holding it on the high right side with a crossover dribble wheeler darts into the lane hands into the corner Coleman good ball movement to Dupree a step inside the three-point line on the left wing Falls Indiana's hit its first three shots of the game 7 to 7 with 810 remaining in the first simone augustus manning some of the point guard with Lindsay Whalen out she goes into fouls and Sevilla fouls down there in the post has been better than anyone in a loaded class this year in the WNBA fouls coming into tonight at 19 points and 10 rebounds per game fourth in the league in scoring second and rebounding and on the defensive side she comes into tonight third in blocks [Music] Minnesota's the number one offensive team in the league number one on the defensive end as well fever get it in to Dupree back to the basket she's guarded by Brunson Dupree whips it up top to Coleman she launched a three it goes Indiana's hit their first four shots tonight two of two from the three-point line the fever take a tendon I lead as Augustus looks to answer on the other end her shot rattles off the right side of the rim and Dupree pulls it down with a right hand for the fever Indiana got off to a strong start back in early August against Minnesota and pokey Chapman said the first couple of minutes they'd be vital tonight Indiana on their first five shots 5 for 5 from the floor Erica wheeler has 7 of the 12 for Indiana Montgomery controlling a high left side Augustus off the screen she knocks down the long two in front of Coleman Minnesota's open 75 percent from the floor Indiana's yet to miss in their first five shots here tonight a chon wa working on Sylvia Fowles that'll be a matchup to watch tonight into the right block it goes to Jasmine Gwathmey she's spinning around Maya Moore Jasmine Gwathmey gets it to go and Gwathmey is coming off a 16 point career high nights against Atlanta and that loss on Saturday night in overtime the Wafi gets her first shot to go Maya Moore is bumped on the other end and Moore will head to the foul line that's Indiana's fourth foul Minnesota's committed just one and another look at Erica wheeler we brought her up in the pregame she's been the reason that the fever have been in the games that they've been in in July and in August has been over that 30 point mark this season had 20 or more in five games this year the dependable Maya Moore knocks down the first Jenny Simms checking in for Indiana it'll be Jenny simps third game with the fever after being waived by Washington back in July 27th Sims has appeared for the fever in her last two games she's oa5 from the floor she's yet to score for Indiana it's a 1413 lead for the fever 636 and what's been an offensive first quarter so far the fever are 6 of 6 from the floor Minnesota's three of four and they've knocked down all seven free throws they've taken wheeler on a crossover stumbles gets it simms around into the corner to Dupree that long to goes so candice Dupree has for Indiana has opened 7 of 7 from the floor the three-point lead matches their largest and Sylvia Fowles that strong left hand over a John 1:12 shots have been taken so far between the two teams 11 have gone down Natalie at shanwa makes the fever 8 for 8 to open up Natalie Achon will her first two points each of the five fever starters have now contributed Montgomery bouncing down low into the post here's Rebekkah Brunson back to Montgomery near three off the right side of the glass at shanwa has it for Indiana who looks to stay perfect on the offensive end Erica wheeler who has an early seven-point office grade straight to the rim and wheeler couldn't get it to go Indiana's best look of the night won't fall it's their first Miss Sims lines up a three and Jenny Sims hits her first shot with the fever after a over five started Cheryl Reed wants a timeout an offensive explosion early on for Indiana too tonight at 24 and 7 and Minnesota they need a win tonight after a four and five last night game stretch Minnesota has to win out to guarantee themselves the number one seed in LA loss would allow Minnesota to lose one the rest of the way as well Augustus pulling up that's a tough shot over Coleman it won't go it gets tipped around in Jenny Sims who hit her first three of her career a moment ago brings it down for Indiana in the yellow uniforms the gold uniforms with blue numbers and blue trim Coleman had it tipped away by Augustus hands back to Erica wheeler who's opened up with seven points early for Indiana wila works off a screen from Achon what bounces for Natalie she'll set up from 16 and Natalie Achon was 2 for 2 Indiana has hit 10 of their first 11 91% shooting for the fever in two fouls in the post left open in the corner Maya Moore she drains a three and Maya Moore who averages 17 points per game coming into tonight a former league MVP a three-time WNBA champion as gold medals to her repertoire I am more with an early 7 shot clock down to 10 for 18 left in the first candice Dupree holding it above her head past the timeline knocked away by Brunson and into the hands of more MORE shot out of a cannon gives it back to Brunson on the left side of the glass it wouldn't go with ping pongs around it stays with Minnesota 406 left in the first Indiana 23 Minnesota 18 Pat Boylan thanks for watching us here on w NBA League Pass and as part of the WNBA's first season on twitter the fever have one more game after this one it's Saturday they will host San Antonio Renee Montgomery off the screen gives to Augustus that wouldn't go Brunson on the putback that one will 23-20 Indiana Minnesota the number two rebounding team in the league Indiana coming into tonight 12th out of 12 in the WNBA on the glass it's an area where the fever will have to watch tonight they'll have to be competitive to get a win as they were on August 6 when they gave Minnesota loss number three Dupree had it knocked away by Rebekkah Brunson it'll stay with the fever six seconds left on the shot clock as Jeanette pullin mbuna will check in for Marissa Coleman Rebekkah Brunson known as a defensive stopper in her 14th year in the WNBA but candice Dupree got the better of her the last time these two teams matched up at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Dupree went for a season-high 31 338 left in the first Wheeler will trigger the inbound with six right into Dupree she'll fire it spins out and fouls pulls down the rebound for Minnesota Indiana's Miss just three shots early on and they've been of the in-and-out variety Montgomery has stepped into the lane around the Pearson here's Maya Moore that three off the back of the rim and Dupree with two hands snags it on the right block for Indiana the head of goes to Ericka wheeler 7 early points a pair of assists to her name she bounces for a John what charging hard into the blue jerseys her left-handed flip shot wouldn't go out of bounds it'll stay with Indiana that'll bring in the fever rookie McCall for candice Dupree or Lena Larkins will check in as well for the fever as Natalie at shanwa takes the rest Larkin's has been struggling in the second half of this season she's not scored in double figures in a game since June we'll go right into Larkins hand back to wheeler wheel over the right hand fading away tough shot over Montgomery and Erica wheeler gets it to go she's four of five early tonight and wheeler has nine as Indiana girls their lead back to five the fever had led by as many as eight Montgomery holding it above her head on the left wing into Natasha Howard who works from left to right and hands off to gia Perkins Perkins back into the game for the first time tonight and her fadeaway jump shot goes a step beyond the foul line gia Perkins 8:14 year Pro out of Texas Tech a lot of experience on this Minnesota roster plenty of names with double-digit years of experience as the fever rookie McCall handles it for Indiana shot clock at 7 wheelers Bell electric so far here is the second round draft pick and Erica McCall gets it to go 27 points for Indiana this is much more along the lines of that early August game with a fever we're able to take down Minnesota versus that loss out in Minnesota a couple of weeks ago where the Lynx got the better of the fever in a dominant effort Maya Moore tough shot off the screen it rattles out Howard goes over Jenny Sims no call but it stays to Indiana wheeler charging out to pull and move on go thought about it instead we'll work off a screen from Larkins pullum of Unga at the left elbow back to Larkins are laying a shot halfway down and Howard boards for Minnesota that's how Howard the former Indiana Fever forward in year number two in Minnesota Maya Moore that's a beautiful fine to Sylvia Fowles Sylvia Fowles with nine points already has scored three more in the first quarter tonight than she scored in her last appearance inside baker's Life Fieldhouse but it's the fever with a three point lead here in the first and a jump ball called as Howard and Montgomery reach in on Erica wheeler look at pokey Chapman who's been frustrated with the officiating really from the opening tip Minnesota's first three possessions on offense resulted in fever fouls just one has been called on the Lynx here in eight and a half first quarter minutes it'll be Natasha Howard at 6-foot two to go against the much smaller 5/7 Erica wheeler and Howard wins that tip with these and you can see why pokey Chapman so frustrated with a play like that yes it's a jump ball 50/50 by nature as Indiana gotta be called for holding underneath but when it's a player like Howard who has seven inches on a player like Erica wheeler it's essentially a turnover so that now the fifth team foul on Indiana it'll put Minnesota into the penalty gia Perkins to the foul line Jenny Sims called for the foul Indiana shooting it a laser like 71% here in the first quarter as Perkins gets her first shot to go which is fantastic news for Indiana who scored 52 points against Minnesota in their last meeting in Minneapolis as Perkins cans a pair but to be shooting 71% Cheryl Reeves group has to feel good to be down by just one Pulham of Unga will cross the time line for Indiana handoff Coleman looking for Larkin she threw it right at her Larkins wasn't ready but back into the hands of Coleman Coleman works off a screen retreats into the corner bouncing for Larkins she wasn't there and it's Indiana's fourth turnover Minnesota already with 7 over the fever turnover Perkins pulling up over Simms that shot is short and one and done as Marissa Coleman pulls down the rebound and an offensive foul now going against their Lena Larkins a moving screen while the fever are shooting 71% Minnesota at 50% and you look at that foul called on or Lena Larkins the high elbow the moving screens certainly the correct call there Minnesota has nine points from the foul line in the first quarter Indiana has yet to take a free throw in fact Minnesota's only been charged with one foul in this first quarter power to inbound she gets it in to Alexis Jones the first round draft pick the final pick of the 2017 first round rookie out of Baylor running point along with gia Perkins in the backcourt for Minnesota Perkins crossing over working on Sims out to chachi Lea's endlessy knee was playing her first minutes of her career in the WNBA a lot of bumping from Perkins and finally Indiana gets the whistle and you can hear the sarcastic clap coming from pokey Chapman coming from the crown behind him it certainly felt like they've been do more than a couple as that foul goes against gia Perkins Cecilia's analyst C knee was signed yesterday for Minnesota out of Italy she was eligible to be drafted was not drafted and after a spectacular Eurobasket where she had 19 points 10 rebounds she's been signed by Minnesota who had an open roster spot fulham of Unga drives out to coleman her three in the corner misses badly off the front of the rim hit part of the backboard tipped away off of Minnesota and it'll stay with the fever 17 seconds remain here in the first indiana has led by as many as eight in this quarter a completely different showing from the game out in minneapolis a week and a half ago Wellum of Unga will give des Larkins who turns and faces a step right of center across the three-point line Larkins hands off the Coleman beyond the leg shot clock and once Holmen will have to throw up a prayer it glances off the front of the rim and that will take us through one despite that miss Indiana at 63% 63% through 1/4 they've led by as many as eight and lead it by one after one the former fever forward Howard has it around the post as analyst in E and the foul she got it poked away by wheeler kicks it into the corner out of bounds off Minnesota and Indiana will take over that's Minnesota second turnover the fever have yet to score off a Minnesota turnover in the end of shooting at at 63% Minnesota at 50 where Minnesota has been able to bridge that gap they are 9 of 9 from the line whereas Indiana has yet to take a free throw in this one wheeler dribbles it off her foot has to regain composure and gives to Larkins who turns faces and looks at Silvia Faust into the posta Coleman Coleman backing in on zaidel acini out to pull and move on go on a shot fake sholat from 3 it goes Jeannette Poland Momonga Indiana sharpshooter from deep has the fever 4 of 5 from the three-point line Indiana who hit 11 three-pointers in their win over Minnesota in early August dangerous pass knocked around gia Perkins comes up with it around his handle assini on the high ride wing she goes into the corner may have traveled into the post now to Howard backing in on the smaller Coleman she turns faces and got found pullin move Unga was coming in to attempt to double-team but they got Marissa Coleman on the foul Natasha Howard and year number 4 was the fifth overall pick by the fever in 2014 was sent to Minnesota two seasons ago Howard hits her first she's a 69% foul shooter playing a career low 11 minutes per game or four points and two and a half rebounds are also career lows as Marissa Coleman takes a rest and candice Dupree back in for Indiana the fever at led by as many as eight Minnesota by as many as three here in the first pokey Chapman when asked if the first ten minutes in pregame would be important she said forget ten let's look at the first two minutes Indiana has succeeded in ten minutes and beyond here so far tonight the fever holding on to a two-point advantage wheeler crossing over at the f-type logo of the fever midcourt logo into Padma bum go around the perimeter it goes into the low block to Dupree Dupree backing in on sandal assini back to the basket up top to wheeler wheeler with nine early points this one goes sailing and out of bounds to Minnesota Indiana at 62% from the field they hit ten of their first 11 shots have made three of their last ten and they've taken five more shots than have Minnesota that's because the beaver have been very good on the glass out rebounding Minnesota one of the best rebounding teams in the league by three sandal assini off the mark Natasha Howard for the rebound and the putback with a left hand Natasha Howard with four early points in six minutes off the bench for Minnesota they're playing without Lindsay Whalen which a gold medal guard eighth all-pro multi all-star from Minnesota they struggled without her and it puts a strain on the bench as well that's a pretty fine wheeler to Dupree candice Dupree now with 6 on 3 of 5 shooting a pair rebounds and a pair of assists for Dupree who's been moved from the power forward position where she started the season to small forward been required by injury Cokie Chapman speaking very highly of her accomplished guard Howard going at the younger McCall Howard left the shot long and Larkins has it for the fever Indian outrebounding Minnesota by 3 here early and they lead by 2 7:25 left in the second Dupree on the block will retreat into the corner live it up to wheeler who comes off the screen from Larkins wheeler on the larger fouls out to Dupree or long two from the right wing skips off the front of the rim tipped out of bounds off McCall and it will go at a Minnesota so Cecilia's Andalus teeny after four minutes we'll check out Minnesota had been running with 11 all season long you can have 12 on a roster soz and Allah CDs inclusion was not at the demotion of any links player it was simply trying to add a body and a body that they feel can contribute here down the stretch the links at 24 and 7 need to get to 27 and 7 to guarantee themselves that number one seed which seemed imminent in early August Augustus gets the role and we're tied here from the Fieldhouse 3232 under seven minutes to play in the second quarter Indiana has led for a majority of this one as Erica wheeler with nine points early candice Dupree has added six Larkins faces takes a left-hand dribble into the corner Dupree pulling up from the baseline slams off the front of the rim Larkins tried to bring it down she couldn't tip down to bounds and to the Lynx Jasmine wants me Natalie a channel will check in for the fever mccalla and Larkins will exit for Indiana the fever after starting 10 of 11 from the floor of course impossible to keep up a pace like that they are four of their last 13 Minnesota and even 50% from the field at 10 of 20 Alexis Jones the rookie staring at Erika wheeler for Indiana into the corner a gust is pulling up along to it's off the mark off the back of the rim and there is the fever point guard wheeler to bring it down her first board as Weaver penetrates into the lane and steps back out the three-point line to the high right wing over to Dupree Dupree give it a Gwathmey she'll pull up at the foul line and work it around two wheeler she's got Jones in her face at on what turns over Maya Moore that shot wouldn't go and Augustus claims it for Minnesota outlet pass goes to Jones back to Augustus into the corner Maya Moore on the long Jasmine Gwathmey and Maya Moore's jump shot six Maya Moore two of four from the floor she has nine Sylvia Fowles with nine in 13 minutes played so far and Minnesota regains the lead their first year of the second quarter wheeler looking for a Chon one doesn't use her now bounces to a cha no shot clock at seven foul line extended to the left will give to Dupree who on a weave will have to fire it up there to pre shot off the mark it's an air ball and a 24-second violation on Indiana this Minnesota defense comes into tonight at nekkid quarter in the second and the Lynx have regained the lead at 34 to 32 it's a lead that's been Indiana's for a majority of the night after starting 10 of 11 from the floor the beaver jumped out to 20 points in their first five minutes the rookie Jones loses the handle Dupree comes up with the steal and wheeler trying to launch it for a chihuahua it slams off the backboard Brunson trying to bring it down and it hit off the end line for the fever catch a break after Erica wheelers half-court pass was but with enough force to get just about the entirety of the court underneath it hit the backboard and a break to Indiana rolled off Rebekkah Brunson and will stay with the fever with the shot clock at 19 woth me will slap it and inbound from the right side of the basket handoff a chonway back to Gwathmey cloth me guarded by Maya Moore the 7 year all-star gives back to Marissa Coleman Coleman on the drive hands off cloth me straightaway beyond the three-point line jazmine Gwathmey sees the shot clock at 5 still crossing on Augustus pulls up a tough - that's a bad look for Indiana and Maya Moore comes down with the rebound for Minnesota Indiana was getting any look they wanted in the first quarter and Minnesota has adjusted in a large way here in the second as Simone Augustus off the screen knocks down the foul line jump shot and Minnesota with that four point second quarter lead it's their largest of tonight's thanks for watching us if you're live on Twitter it's the final fever game of the season on Twitter a part of WNBA's first season on Twitter thanks for joining us on leaked passes well shot clock to five Dupree charging fading off the side of the backboard and Brunson brings it down for Minnesota who has regained the momentum a four-point advantage and they're looking to capitalize with Indiana struggling on the offensive end Jones and a basket a show a flare in one goal point at Pearson from the putback in minnesota goes up 38 32 Erica wheeler will charge to the sideline and while she was trying to take a timeout I think they got a foul first while Kurt Walker has signaled that there's a technical foul [Music] and Erica wheeler appears to be the recipient of that technical it's a NATO Minnesota run Indiana led by one after one and it's a six-point Minnesota lead the fever a NATO run for Minnesota as Maya Moore heads to the foul line and misses on the technical free throw it was called on Erica wheeler just before she called a timeout there was some contact in the backcourt there's been some frustration on Indiana's end with the officiating here early on Voki Chapman's been frustrated now you see Erica wheeler get the best of it as Jenny Sims just finds it in two wheeler crossing over pulling up off Montgomery that shot halfway down for wheeler who grimaces toward the sidelines Montgomery pulls down the rebound ahead two more she swamped into the corner cross-court Montgomery Montgomery drives on the right wing right up top Maya Moore the smaller wheeler honor she'll pull up over wheeler it rolls around and falls off Marissa Coleman with the rebound Indiana sorely needing a basket they have just five points here in the second and Minnesota riding an eight-oh run at six point advantage is their largest of the evening wheeler off the screen from Achon well the bigger fouls in her way over to Achon Wow John were looking for wheeler has to go to Coleman off a screen Coleman double-team over to Jenny Sims she'll live it up it's an air ball and Indiana second 24-second violation of the quarter the fever down to 46 percent from the field shooting they were at 71% late in the first quarter in the enna hit ten of their first eleven Corson unsustainable great there early on but since the fever have hit just three of their last 19 shots Montgomery whips it two more working the baseline Sims fell down and Maya Moore gets right to the basket Minnesota ten Oh advantage Indiana led 32 to 30 in the early parts of the second as the fever offense has gone cold after one of their best quarters of the season on the offensive end Dupree back up top wheeler she'll let a three go from straightaway it slams off the front of the rim the backboard it falls off and Leigha fouls brings it down for Minnesota this is a game that has no meaning as it relates to the playoffs for Indiana they know their clinch down wheeler darts into the passing lane she takes it away from Brunson and Erica wheeler will go the length of the court and lay it in Erica wheel are with 11 she's been in double figures in each of her last four the irony of a game like this it's Minnesota with the much better record that has everything to play for they looked like they were going to take the number one seed with ease and perhaps lock it up by mid-august but August has been a major struggle Amaya more weaving in or shot off glass wouldn't go and a John will pulls it down to the fever Nia looking to withstand a 1000 run from Minnesota Erica wheeler had the answer on the last possession out to Dupree she'll fake on the baseline charge with a right hand pull up from six and tendus to Bree gets it to go and as two pre now has eight an Indiana back with and for each team has led by as many as eight Cheryl Reeve will take a timeout 138 left to go until halftime Minnesota 40 Indiana 36 [Applause] take another look at Ericka wheeler she and Bree on January make quite the formidable backcourt January's been heard a lot this season and it's been Erika wheeler who's been Manning that backcourt position at point guard positioned by ourselves Indiana in tonight a 1000 run for Minnesota answer with a quick four oh insertion by Indiana Minnesota with a four-point advantage 1:35 left until halftime simone augustus controlling it for minnesota she has six points in the first half lobbing it down to the eventual MVP Sylvia Fowles flips it over our left shoulder she couldn't get it to go and here comes Erica wheeler on a trot she crosses the time line with a right hand dribble at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse type for right-of-center and beyond the three-point line wheeler with heavy pressure coming from Renee Montgomery gives to pull Emma fungi she drives a foul and add one for two that pulling ma Bunga Oh a much-needed answer for Indiana as Minnesota hoping to ride some momentum into halftime they led by eight and Poland move Unga can pull Indiana back within one here at the foul line then pull and move Unga another one of these players she's been used to playing heavier minutes of course she was a number one draft pick a first round draft pick of Indiana she couldn't get the foul shot to go and there's Simone Augustus on the other end with the answer but pulling another one of these players that hadn't been playing huge minutes the last couple of seasons Paloma fungi's played nine minutes here tonight and Indiana has needed her with the rash of injuries that hit the fever in mid-july wila crossing over Montgomery regains wheeler comes off the Achon with screen floating into the lane a tough shot it wouldn't go off glass missed everything and Minnesota will take it about 16 seconds between the clock says simone augustus controls beyond the three-point line high right side augustus whips it to Brunson who was right next to her to Montgomery in the post fouls got good position and lost the handle so Sylvia Fowles who had nine points early in the first quarter has not scored since nine points and six rebounds by no means a poor afternoon four fouls however Indiana has done a much better job after fouls jumped out to nine early points for Minnesota about three seconds between the clocks Indiana trailing by four in the closing moments of the second quarter Erica wheelers played nearly the entirety of this first half she comes off on a childhood screen pulls up from the left oboe slams off the front of the rim and came Sims but she tips it into the hands of Minnesota Renee Montgomery pulls it down she can't get a shot off so Indiana loses their first hand they missed it the fever are the top free-throw shooting team in the league as we begin the second half we'll play man 8 Renee Montgomery giving it up top to Maya Moore Moore is yet to use her dribble holds it on the left tip works it around to Simone Augustus off the screen goes for fouls at the left elbow back up top Montgomery she didn't score in the first half and that will remain her three pointer glances off the front of the rim and Dupree pulls down her third rebound of the night for Indiana candice Dupree holding it straightaway guarded by Brunson on the left wing it goes to wheeler wheeler to the baseline back to Dupree holding it high left side bouncing into a child what takes one dribble goes over more left it short Achon were there for the offensive rebound and wheeler from the baseline knocks it down in the end on an 8 to run dating back to of the second quarter it was danger zone it appeared for a moment Minnesota after a 1000 run had gotten the lead up to 8 Indiana was struggling majorly on the offensive end but the fever have cut the lead back to 2 as Laura darts in delay picks out to Augustus her three slams off the front of the rim Dupree taps it to herself and the rebound for Indiana her fourth of the night and Indiana can tie it up with a basket ear wheeler off the Achon was screened back to a chongwu she's open from the left elbow and Natalie a Chihuahua has this even at 42 it's a 10-2 run for the fever to answer a 1000 run for Minnesota the fever to a strong start to open the night in the first quarter and shooting it well here to open the third Augustus on the weave around to more perimeter ride a step beyond the three-point line takes a step in works it to Montgomery in the corner her left hand dribble finds it to Brunson up top around into the corner and that shot falls from Maya Moore they'll call it a 2 or foot on the line Maya Moore now with 11 that leads all Minnesota scorers Erica we lower the game high 13 controls it on the right perimeter starts to work the base frontline now steps back into the corner and gives the candice Dupree off to Gwathmey driving on Moore back to Dupree she steps in and hits it candice Dupree now with 10 on 5 of 11 shooting Dupree with four boards two assists to go along with it as candice Dupree back into double figures she's now been there in 28 of her 32 games as a member of the Indiana Fever Montgomery nearly had lost it over her head into the corner she looking for more and an errant pass sends it out of bounds it's Minnesota's sixth turnover and Indiana will take over on the offensive end it's been a tale of two venues this series this season Indiana with probably their best performance of the season back on August 6th in an 84 82 win at that time Minnesota was 20 and 2 now pokey Chapman talking things over with genetic Ram Jeannette pull and move Unga having a hard time breathing whether that's Jasmine Gwathmey having a hard time breathing and so they have to check her out and chilled head over to the locker room with Todd Champlin as Jasmine Gwathmey at least for the moment we'll have to exit and there is Jeanette pull him of Unga in her stead Indiana with arguably their best win of the season it came against Minnesota and Indiana right in the thick of things here tonight in between these two games a dominant win for the Lynx in which they got up by as many as 63 in the third quarter and Indiana was never in things from the get-go but they've been a completely different team here on this court once again challenging the top team in the league Montgomery tips it away from wheeler she has to go back in the back court to retrieve it we learn to the corner to free shot fakes left alone and Dupree rolls it around and it goes candice Dupree now with 12 and Indiana regains their first lead of the second half Moore holding it left of perimeter up top to Augustus around the perimeter it works to Montgomery she's looking for Brunson is now double-team Brunson controls it to Augustus into the corner Maya Moore feeding it into fouls and a child walk called for the foul she thought she got all ball her Walker wissinger for the content [Applause] another look is Sylvia Fowles the potential MVP got good position it appeared all ball with the hand perhaps the call on a Chon whoa with the wraparound on the offhand as might have been what Kurt Walker saw nonetheless Sylvia Fowles to the line and she knocks down her first that'll give fouls double figures she has 10 to go along with six rebounds [Music] Sylvia Fowles one of two from the line Minnesota is 12 of 14 there on the evening they have 12 free throws more than Indiana who's taken just one and they missed it wheeler from the foul line bouncing for a Chon wish she holds on the right block and got her pocket pick by Maya Moore one of the top defensive players in the league a candidate for defensive player in the air trots into the Indiana for court up top to Brunson she'll fire straightaway slams off the front of the rim Dupree has it and finds a sprinting Erica wheeler who crosses the time line now brings it to the foul line picks up her dribble out to Coleman her left wing three on the way glances off the front of the rim and fouls has it for Minnesota a one-point lead for Indiana each team has led by as many as eight in what's been a game of runs Indiana owning the 1st Minnesota owning the second Brunson on the smaller Pulham of Unga instead goes back to Renee Montgomery around the perimeter crossing up Dupree Montgomery trying to use her speed she can't get around her fouls at the left hand she missed everything gets it back and just floats it up with the shot clock expiring Sylvia Fowles has 12 those are the kind of place Sylvia Fowles has been an all-star but the kind of plays this season that have taken an all-star type of career into an mvp-type 10th season in the WNBA wheeler from the corner an answer Erica wheeler with 16 coming off one of her best stretches of play of her career fouls gets it low her turnaround shot wouldn't go and Natalie a child while brings in her sixth board Indiana leading by two they spot not many would have put them in here into the third quarter Coleman drives out to pull a move on go at three off the front of the rim a good look for poem of Unga Indiana five of ten from out there an impressive 50% more pulls up an answer from I am armed and with a nod of the head Maya Moore now has 13 as Minnesota hits their second three-pointer of the evening more called for a foul on Poland move Unga that will take us into a timeout Minnesota leading Bonn spot Indiana knows they will not be playoff bound you really have to admire the fight and the heart the fever have shown tonight when it's Minnesota who has everything to play for wheeler shot clock and want over our gustas that's a tough shot and it's an air ball Indiana not getting the look they wanted out of the timeout we've been tied six times six lead changes Indiana jumped out to an eight-point lead in that first quarter Minnesota responding with a 1000 run in the second which brought their lead up to 40 to 38 an Indiana had a much-needed 10 to answer which brought him back to even and we've been tight ever since more turning around tough fadeaway that won't go here's some of the putback hits off the mark Sims tips it around and Jones has it for Minnesota a good defensive possession for the fever here's another look for the Lakes Pearson backing in on Larkins Larkins with good defense and Pearson flips it over well at Pearson now has for Indiana trailing by three Dupree around into the corner to pull in Livonia off the new pre-screen pull-up Ivanka drives wheeler to Simms and an offensive foul going against Indiana Pearson going to the neck and pull a mofongo called for the offensive foul all teams have stayed out of foul trouble here in the quarter each called for just one Indiana was called for a foul on each of their first three defensive possessions as this one goes against Jenny Sims and until the last couple of moments the fever had done a much better job of avoiding the foul it's the second on Simms no fever player though with more than two as the rookie Alexis Jones will get it in to Pearson Pearson over to Maya Moore 16 points for more she works the baseline 16 feet from it whips it up top and now it works around to Jones films on a pump fake pull Omo volga guarding her she'll drive on pull a mofongo with a crossover kicks it out to augusta shot clock at five Augustus tries the swooping leader goes that's been the difference between Minnesota and why they've been the class of the WNBA not just this year but if Minnesota ends up the number one seed they will be the number one seed for the fifth time in seven seasons that they've had Maya Moore and its plays like that good defense for Indiana for 19 seconds and Simone Augustus gets a good look Jenny Sims got inside her shot wouldn't go an offensive rebound Larkins cross-court pass fulham of Unga was the intended recipient tipped away by Minnesota this is the number one defensive team in the league in the link so the fever who shooted on the season at 43% have to be happy with 48 percent shooting at 46 percent from the three-point line an inability to get to the foul line has been an issue for the fever tonight Alexis Jones called for the off the ball foul against Minnesota it's her second and the team's second Cheryl Reeve has not been used to these kind of stretches winning 71% of her games not seen many for win in nine game stretches as pullum of Unga fumbles with it Jones providing strong defense on the other end LaVon go on the drive she'll give to Simms shot clock at two Sims will have to throw it up and it goes off glass Jenny Sims who's had a tough start to her career shootings Jenny Sims enter tonight he combined her stance from Washington and Indiana shooting just 12 percent from the floor but Simmons hit her first two baskets with Indiana tonight and Alexis Jones the lefty knocks down a three and if soda has grown their lead back to six they've led by as many as eight Fulham of Unga break to the rim and Jeannette palomo booga has two more seven for pulling LaVon go on three of four shooting she's done that in 15 minutes Augustus is double-team up top it goes to pierce it a step of right beyond the three-point line Pearson dribbles straight away hands off two more more will shot fake Pearson will let it go and hits Lynette Pearson a 33% three-point shooter in her 15th season has put Minnesota up seven and is Dupree as 12 on the night Coleman controlling up to Dupree straight away to pray knocks down another and is too free with six now in the third she has 14 on the night is Indiana trying to a stand one of these many offensive charges from the top offensive team the league there without Lindsay Whalen but they have multiple former MVPs there's Simone Augustus her shot pops down and Dupree has it for the fever and is too pre now with seven rebounds on the night she averages five per game on the season the newcomer Jenny Sims in game number three Sam's charging right at more no fear and Jenny Sims will go to the line that's foul number two on more Minnesota has been called for just six fouls in nearly three quarters but that's the fourth here in the third so they're one away from going into the penalty and Jenny Sims will head to the line Sims an 80% foul shooter in limited action her first year in the WNBA and that's Indiana's first made free throw on the night they're 1 for 2 and being outscored from the foul line by 11 points in a game they trail by 4 in the run of play the fever have arguably been the better team tonight the foul line is where Minnesota has had the better of Indiana and that attacking mindset and ability to get to the line certainly a large part of that gia Park it's pulling up from 16 it spins around and off candice Dupree with rebound number 8 Dupree a couple boards away from a double-double as Erica wheeler looking to chip in to that six-point deficit we lurk lies to the right wing into the post now to Coleman she's backing in on the smaller Jones her turnaround rattles in Marissa Coleman has five and just like that Indiana's turned a seven-point deficit back within two and Perkins lost the hand a lot amounts off Minnesota Indiana who had their best performance of the year against Minnesota back in early August this is another one of the best three quarters the fever have put together all year hang in with the number one team in the WNBA in a game that means everything to Minnesota and at least standing speaking does not mean anything to the fever wheeler off the screen gives to Dupree shot clock at four she'll attack Howard looking out for Coleman it got tipped away shot clock at two candice Dupree her range essentially extends out to that three-point line but not past it she's only taking two threes this season to miss them both lark and she'll have to get it off then she won't the fever can't get a look to tie here late in the third and with eight seconds to go one more look for Minnesota Maya Moore with 16 fouls has 12 Augustus with 12 and the rookie Alexis Jones at 22 years of age at a baylor crossing the time line wheeler hounding her to give us some more game clock down to one more won't get it off but strong defensive stand for Indiana and an effective close to the third cook in 13 years the fever over their long history have barely had these scenarios where they're playing games where they know the playoffs aren't there but you really have to credit Pookie Chapman you have to credit this fever team with two games left to go against the top team in the WNBA they're giving Minnesota everything they want and more as we open up the fourth candice Dupree has 14 at one glance is off the side of the rim Larkins loses it out of bounds but it's off of fouls it'll stay with Indiana the fever shooting it at 51% on the night this is the top defensive team in the league they're facing and before Coleman could get it in a whistle off the ball going against the Lynx I'll catch Natasha Howard and with it being an off the ball foul on the inbound it'll send candice Dupree it to the line to shoot the technical so Indiana can regain the lead with a basket here we've had six lead changes been tied six times into Simms she'll fire from three hits off the left side of the rim then Augustus pulls it down for Minnesota Jenny Simmons had her chances tonight two of six from the field she has five Howard has it moving right to left will pick up her dribble and hand off behind it a Perkins Perkins charging into late got bumped and flipped it in gia Perkins a 10-1 and she'll go to the line looking for a three-point play and to put the links back up for gyah Perkins in year 14 along with Lindsay Whalen who's in her fourteenth year planet Pearson in year 15 Rebecca Brunson's in her fourteenth year some on Augustus in year 12 there is no doubt that in any game they play this year Minnesota has the experience advantage now when you've got players like Perkins down the line who can contribute in the fourth quarter of close games like this added on to their 14th year of experience it's such a bonus for shell Reeves group wheeler darts in out to Dupree Indiana trailing by four early fourth quarter Coleman off the screen nearly threw it away was it tipped it was not and it's a turnover on Coleman Indiana's 12th turnover on the night Minnesota has turned it over eight times fever out shooting Minnesota 51 to 48 they're hanging around on the glass - three is a victory for the fever who are 12th in the league in rebounding Minnesota is second the foul line continues to be the difference-maker Indiana's been outscored by 11 from the free-throw line they trail by four Joel to the shot clock at five underneath an athletic move from Jones it wouldn't go fowls couldn't get a handle on it and Dupree does for Indiana she's now a rebound away from the double-double as wheeler works in glides into the lane now navigates off the screen from Larkin she flips it up and a to a group of blue jerseys it was an ill-advised shot by Erika wheeler and now simone augustus nearly lost it off her foot but jones was there and waiting as minnesota looks to an extend on a four point advantage Jones over to Howard working on Coleman the athletic guard off to Perkins who's wide open her shot halfway down it skips out and Indiana's candice Dupree now has a double-double 15 points and 10 rebounds for candice Dupree as Cheryl Reeve will take a timeout on the floor the Lynx they lead by four the fever hoping to hang around here in the fourth and give Minnesota lakes at 24 and 7 looking for win number 25 on the season it's been tough sledding for them at Bankers Life Fieldhouse this season indiana's dealt them one loss in the fever hanging around here in the 4th wheeler a three off the side of the rim and fouls come skying for it Sylvia Fowles now with 12 points and 11 rebounds she and Dupree have a double-double Augustus looking for Howard she couldn't handle it out of bounds to Indiana it's hard to believe these are the two same teams that were on the court back in mid-august a dominant win for Minnesota in mid-august after the fever came away victorious at the beginning of the month and in similar fashion the fever giving themselves a chance tonight wheeler off the back of the rim she comes back forward it tips around Larkins has it wheeler up top to Sims since shot fakes the three Howard takes her space at you working around the wheeler wheeler on the right wing driving on the much larger fouls and she got the foul call Sylvia Fowles who was hampered immensely by foul trouble in that game against the fever at Bankers Life on August 6th that's just her second she's played 25 minutes tonight and been her typical effective likely MVP self shot clock to 14 that's the second team foul on Minnesota wheeler inside the three-point line over the Coleman Bolin on a screen from Larkin stepping back tough baseline jump shot Coleman hits Marissa Coleman with 7 it's been an efficient night for Coleman 50% shooting four rebounds in 25 minutes Indiana back within two as Alexis Jones holds it around the perimeter left at the foul line glides in the lefty puts up the shot and gets it to go Alexis Jones has played 15 minutes tonight that'll give her five points and has been a huge relief at the point guard position there hampered by the loss of Lindsay Whalen Indiana won't apologize they're dealing with injuries to three starters candice Dupree has it on the baseline cross-court pass wheeler brings it in with five wheeler on Perkins rice pasture floats in now to Dupree her shot off the left side of the rim and Jones brings it down from Minnesota 65-61 the lake's with a four-point lead as Joe to Augustus the right block that's her spot and she rattles it in simone augustus puts the links back up by six they've led by as many as eight tonight it got to eight once in indiana responded with a ten to run it got to seven in the fever answered with a six to advantage we'll see if indiana has another run with them here 550 left in the fourth wheeler on the base line up top coleman all alone her three off the front of the rim the backboard and it falls off and that's rebound number 12 for Sylvia Fowles a good look for Coleman she just couldn't find it in and now Alexis Jones on the other end of the foul line the lefty around Sims Alexis Jones gets it to go she has seven timeout pokey Chapman the lakes have extended their lead matching their game high of eight coming in her last two possessions for Minnesota and just like that the lakes have the advantage back to eight 69-61 Indiana looking for another run they're short-handed the fever looking for win number ten on the year while Minnesota looking for win number 25 at the fever have had a fight in them all night long Dupree from the foul line and wouldn't go Larkins looking for the tip instead it's fouls with her 13th rebound of the night in the NL ed by eight in the first quarter they led by one after one and have led in the second half a couple of times in the third is Howard shot fakes the three from the corner spinning on Dupree nearly got around her and said Perkins will fire straight away that's a three from gia Perkins and Minnesota who opened up 1 for 6 from the three-point line has knocked down each of their last four pulling evanka she got blocked by fouls ahead to Howard Howard going at Dupree she finishes with the right hand a 500 run out of the break and the Minnesota lakes have extended their lead to 13 it was within a possession early in the fourth quarter but it's an 11 Oh run now for Minnesota Dupree lost the handle regains it out to pull and move Unga halfway down Larkins with the tip in 7463 Minnesota leading by 11 that ends the 11o run for the Lynx they led 63-61 in the early part of the fourth as pull him of Unga tips it out of bounds jazmine Gwathmey Erika wheeler Natalija shanwa in for the fever as Larkins Coleman and pullin move Unga will take a seat [Applause] more on the baseline up top Alexis Jones another the rookie continues to shine here in the fourth she has ten in Minnesota's lead up to 14 the largest of the night well it just shows the firepower of a team like this in Indiana has gritted its way through this one they've been extremely effective on both sides of the ball against the top team in the WNBA and credit Alexis Jones it hasn't always been the names you would expect as walk me off balance that's a tough shot but it's the difference between a team that is expecting to compete for a championship and Indiana a team that is going to see its 12-year consecutive playoff streak from Minnesota a 13 a 14 to to run to open the fourth and what's been a tight game the entire night not out of Indiana's reach still 251 left to play but a game that was apparently within the fever's reach throughout the night now we'll need an extremely strong finish from Indiana just to get back into this one Sims loses the handle they'll say Howard didn't touch it and it's Indiana's 13th turnover and it's to pre out Erica McCall in and Cheryl Reeve will take a full timeout the biggest difference on the box for has been at the foul line where Minnesota leads by 14 tonight they've out shot Indiana by 13 at the line and outscored the fever by 11 from the foul line and this current 14 to two run has been the potential knockout blow for a team that was a last-second shot away by NECA goo Mackay in Los Angeles Game five in Minneapolis of the WNBA Finals they saw it go to LA and Minnesota opened up the year 20 and to appear to be breezing teen la will be the 2 seed they'll certainly have other potential strong suitors for those spots and a difficult playoff path ahead Lee leads for both of those teams New York Washington Connecticut Phoenix amongst the teams that could give the top two teams in the WNBA trouble as Maya Moore off the out of timeout Cheryl Reeve draws up a beautiful play and gets her star open underneath the basket and gia Perkins deciding to foul a half cordon at first it's tough to figure out what she was doing but it's to get a couple of subs in as two Chile is Andale assini back in for Minnesota and Tammy been lay in for the first time Indiana running with Jasmine Gwathmey Erica wheeler Erica McCall Jenny Sims and Jennifer Hamson but to best display the injury troubles Indiana has gone through this season and the kind of transition year that it's been the five fever players on the court looked like this your second round rookie drafted Hampson who did not start the year with the fever Sims who did not start the year with the fever and Jasmine Gwathmey who after the final round of cuts was also not on the Indiana Fever she was brought in just before the season after training camp you're looking at a lineup on the floor right now that three players were not a part of training camp for Indiana and that's been the difficulty that boki Chapman is dealt with this year as wheeler tosses it up and it's an air ball and for about three and a half quarters the fever gave Minnesota quite the battle Indiana taking multiple leads in the third quarter hanging around in the fourth and a 14-2 run and Counting for Minnesota has been the difference here in the fourth and that feeling that that run was coming from the heavyweight contender Lakes to Indiana got the better of in early August Minnesota taking the game in Minneapolis back in mid-august as Jones off the mark Indiana with the rebound for the 16 point deficit extremely large hill to climb for indiana in the final 140 wheeler from the foul line pulls up off the right side of the rim McCall with the rebound her putback wouldn't go and it's Bentley pulling down the rebound Sylvia Fowles assuming her knight is done we'll finish with 12 points and 13 rebounds Maya Moore with 18 and three assists Wafi thought about the corner three pulls up for the long two and swishes it I'll give blocked me for Erica wheeler with 16 and it's Dupree with 15 Dupree with 15 and 10 her third double doubles as a member of the Indiana Fever as Jones weaves in works it back out the Perkins she'll fire a right wing three off the back of the rim Hansen trying to bring it in she tips it to herself in the volleyball player comes down with the board under a minute left to play here from the Fieldhouse as Indiana looking for one more chance to get to win number 10 on the year there's Jenny Sims from the corner Denny Sims who had not scored with Indiana in her first two games she has nine tonight Alexis Jones has been a huge part of Minnesota's effort to pull away here in the fourth got blocked by Hansen got blocked by McCall and somewhere in there a foul called Jennifer Hamson is tagged with her first Indiana's fourth fever will fall to nine and 24 on the season Minnesota will move to 25 and 7 I'll go one game ahead of Los Angeles they have played one more game than the sparks after this one Indiana will host San Antonio Minnesota next a home game against Chicago wheeler with contact for hon by Perkins you can see wheelers frustration there it's a 12-point game with under 10 seconds left to go and that'll actually put Minnesota into the penalty so Erika wheeler to the foul line for two more free throws Indiana could have elected to just dribble the clock out which might have been what they were doing before Perkins was called for the foul and wheelers first won't go this has been the story tonight the foul line it's been the big difference Minnesota out scoring the fever from the line right now by 12 Indiana has taken what will be six free throws here after this one by wheeler in Minnesota has attempted 17 wheeler hits one of two a strong night for Erica wheeler 17 points and 7 assists Indiana an impressive three and a half quarters but Minnesota has the difference in the final five minutes a 16-2 to run in that span give the lakes an 82 69 win Minnesota 25 and 7 on the season Indiana tonight at 24 one more game on Saturday if you're in the Indianapolis area or in the Greater Indianapolis surrounding area we would love to have you here Bankers Life Fieldhouse fever basketball calm is how you can be here Maya Moore with 18 points the leaders the leading scorer on the night Erica wheeler right behind her with 17 candice Dupree finishes with 15 and 10 your final score tonight Minnesota 80 Indiana at the starting lineups first for the Indiana Fever it's the starting five that has become the norm necessitated by injury Natalie Achon wa in the middle wheeler and Gwathmey in the backcourt candice Dupree who has been in double figures in 27 of four of her 31 games with Indiana this season and for Minnesota it's missing one name Lindsay Whalen who was injured in early August a broken finger she hopes to be back around playoff time but they've had to get by without her in fact their four and five without Lindsay Whalen still plenty of firepower in the line of Sylvia Fowles the expected MVP Maya Moore a former MVP and Simone Augustus a gold medal winner along with Minnesota's experienced house'll tip for Minnesota its Natalie Achon before the fever fouls wins the tip but tips it back into Indiana hands and Erica wheeler will run the point for the fever guarded by him Renee Montgomery straight up top she'll feed a Dupree around to the left side to Coleman more digging at it couldn't take it and it goes into the hands have blocked me with the shot clock at 10 and block knees Erin Pass is taken away by Rebekkah Brunson the fever who were turning it over amongst the best in the WNBA at the beginning of the season our last in the league from July forward as Sylvia Fowles goes an one in the post and fouls to the foul line looking to complete the three-point slay Indiana got their best win of the season on August 6 that was when Minnesota came to town a 20 and 2 record visiting Bankers Life Fieldhouse and they got Sylvia Fowles into all kinds of foul trouble she played just 20 minutes and fouls scored just 6 points in that August 6th game already with 3 early the likely MVP men in the middle for Minnesota wheeler on a crossover dribble running point guard with brie on January sideline for the rest of the year Dupree glides in back out to wheeler wheeler accelerates into the lane over Brunson and her left hand shot goes glass Ericka wheeler who's averaging 15 a game in her last three career highs in points assists and rebounds in her 2017 season simone augustus up top to maya moore the inexperienced jazmine Gwathmey guarding her and maya moore goes straight to the rim and draws a foul on Gwathmey it's your number two for jazmine to the WNBA and she is seeing her most playing time of her career in the back half of this season she's rewarded pokey Chapman who's inserted her into the starting lineup back in July as Moore sinks the first more on her seventh year out of UConn gets it to go the Lynx who were 20 and 2 in the beginning of August lost Lindsay Whalen they appeared to be running away with the number one overall seed in the WNBA as wheeler launches a three and hits a couple early shots for Erica wheeler she has five Minnesota though has one just four of their last nine games and with a loss to Los Angeles back on Sunday they'll need to win the rest of these three to guarantee themselves the one seat Augustus crossing over going through Coleman and on three possessions from Minnesota Indiana has been called for their third foul Marissa Coleman is charged with this one the original on Natalie Achon WA and Jasmine clocked me Indiana mcgann Minnesota into foul trouble in their previous meeting back here at Bankers Life Fieldhouse it's the third meeting of the three teams and they've all come in August the third and the final as Augustus sinks the first a minute and a half in three fouls on the fever and Minnesota has taken just one shot simone augustus to the line she buries a pair in minnesota with an early 7 to 5 lead all five from indiana come from Ericka wheeler she's taken the two shots for the fever as she crosses the time line with a crossover dribble guarded by Montgomery we're looking for a scream from Dupree it's not they're holding it on the high right side with a crossover dribble wheeler darts into the lane hands into the corner Coleman good ball movement to Dupree a step inside the three-point line on the left wing Falls Indiana's hit its first three shots of the game 7 to 7 with 810 remaining in the first simone augustus manning some of the point guard with Lindsay Whalen out she goes into fouls and Sevilla fouls down there in the post has been better than anyone in a loaded class this year in the WNBA fouls coming into tonight at 19 points and 10 rebounds per game fourth in the league in scoring second and rebounding and on the defensive side she comes into tonight's third in blocks [Music] Minnesota's the number one offensive team in the league number one on the defensive end as well beaver get it in to Dupree back to the basket she's guarded by Brunson Dupree whips it up top to Coleman she launched a three it goes Indiana's hit their first four shots tonight two of two from the three-point line the fever take a tendon I lead as Augustus looks to answer on the other end her shot rattles off the right side of the rim and Dupree pulls it down with a right hand for the fever Indiana got off to a strong start back in early August against Minnesota and pokey Chapman said the first couple of minutes they'd be vital tonight Indiana on their first five shots 5 for 5 from the floor Erika wheeler has 7 of the 12 for Indiana Montgomery controlling a high left side Augustus off the screen she knocks down the long two in front of Coleman Minnesota's open 75 percent from the floor Indiana's yet to miss in their first five shots here tonight a chon wa working on Sylvia Fowles that'll be a matchup to watch tonight into the block it goes to Jasmine blocked me she's spinning around my amore Jasmine blocked me gets it to go and block me who's coming off a 16-point career-high Knights against Atlanta and that loss on Saturday night in overtime Wafi gets her first shot to go Maya Moore is bumped on the other end and Moore will head to the foul line that's Indiana's fourth foul Minnesota's committed just one and another look at Ericka wheeler we brought her up in the pregame she's been the reason that the fever have been in the games that they've been in in July and in August has been over that thirty point mark this season had 20 or more in five games this year the dependable Maya Moore knocks down the first Jenny Sims checking in for Indiana it'll be Jenny simps third game with the fever after being waived by Washington back in July 27th Sims has appeared for the fever in her last two games she's oa5 from the floor she's yet to score for Indiana it's a 1413 lead for the fever 636 and what's been an offensive first quarter so far the beaver are 6 of 6 from the floor Minnesota's three of four and they've knocked down all seven free throws they've taken wheeler on a cross over stumbles gets it to Simms around into the corner to Dupree that long to goes so candice Dupree has for Indiana has opened 7 of 7 from the floor the three-point lead matches their largest and Sylvia Fowles that strong left hand over a John 1:12 shots have been taken so far between the two teams 11 have gone down Natalie at Shawn what makes the fever 8 for 8 to open up Natalie at Shawn will her first two points each of the five fever starters have now contributed Montgomery bouncing down low into the post here's Rebekkah Brunson back to Montgomery near three off the right side of the glass at shanwa has it for Indiana who looks to stay perfect on the offensive end Erica wheeler who has an early seven-point office grade straight to the rim and wheeler couldn't get it to Joanna's best look of the night won't fall it's their first miss Simms lines up a three and Jenny Simms hits her first shot with the fever after a over five started Cheryl Reeve wants a timeout an offensive explosion early on for Indiana - tonight at 24 and 7 and Minnesota they need a win tonight after a four and five last night game stretch Minnesota has to win out to guarantee themselves the number one seed in LA loss would allow Minnesota to lose one the rest of the way as well Augustus pulling up that's a tough shot over Coleman it won't go it gets tipped around in Jennie Sims who hit her first three of her career a moment ago brings it down for Indiana in the yellow uniforms the gold uniforms with blue numbers and blue trim Coleman had it tipped away by Augustus hands back to Erica wheeler who's opened up with seven points early for Indiana wheeler works off a screen from Achon what bounces for Natalie she'll set up from 16 and Natalie echad was two for two Indiana has hit ten of their first 11 91% shooting for the fever in two fouls in the post left open in the corner Maya Moore she drains a three and Maya Moore who averages 17 points per game coming into tonight a former league MVP a three-time WNBA champion has gold medals to her repertoire Maya Moore with an early 7 shot clock down to 10 for 18 left in the first candice Dupree holding it above her head past the time line knocked away by Brunson and into the hands of more more shot out of a cannon gives it back to Brunson on the left side of the glass it wouldn't go at ping-pong surround it stays with Minnesota 406 left in the first Indiana 23 Minnesota 18 Pat Boylan thanks for watching us here on W NBA League Pass and as part of the WNBA's first season on twitter the fever have one more game after this one it's Saturday they will host San Antonio Renee Montgomery off the screen gets to Augustus that wouldn't go Brunson on the putback that one will 23:20 Indiana Minnesota the number two rebounding team in the league Indiana coming into tonight 12th out of 12 in the you NBA on the glass it's an area where the fever will have to watch tonight they'll have to be competitive to get a win as they were on August 6 when they gave Minnesota loss number three Dupree had it knocked away by Rebekkah Brunson it'll stay with the fever six seconds left on the shot clock as Jeanette pullin mo Bunga we'll check in for Marissa Coleman Rebekkah Brunson known as a defensive stopper in her 14th year in the WNBA but candice Dupree got the better of her the last time these two teams matched up at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Dupree went for a season-high 31 338 left in the first Wheeler will trigger the inbound with six right into Dupree she'll fire it spins out and fouls pulls down the rebound for Minnesota Indiana's Miss just three shots early on and they've been of the in-and-out variety Montgomery has stepped into the lane around to pierce it here's Maya Moore that three off the back of the rim and Dupree with two hands snags it on the right block for Indiana now headed goals to Erica wheeler 7 early points a pair of assists to her name she bounces for a John what charging hard into the blue jerseys her left-handed flip shot wouldn't go out of bounds it'll stay with Indiana that'll bring in the fever rookie Erica McCall for candice Dupree or Lena Larkins will check in as well for the fever as Natalie Achon WA takes the rest Larkin's has been struggling in the second half of this season she's not scored in double figures in a game since June we'll go right into Larkins hand back to wheeler wheel over the right hand fading away tough shot over Montgomery and Erica wheeler gets it to go she's four of five early tonight and wheeler has nine as Indiana girls their lead back to five the fever had led by as many as eight Montgomery holding it above her head on the left wing into Natasha Howard who works from left to right and hands off to gia Perkins Perkins back into the game for the first time tonight and her fadeaway jump shot goes a step beyond the foul line gia Perkins 814 year Pro out of Texas Tech a lot of experience on this Minnesota roster plenty of names with double-digit years of experience as the fever rookie McCall handles it for Indiana Jon clock at 7 wheelers electric so far here is the second round draft pick and Erica McCall gets it to go 27 points for Indiana this is much more along the lines of that early August game where the fever we're able to take down Minnesota versus that loss out in Minnesota a couple of weeks ago where the Lynx got the better of the fever in a dominant effort Maya Moore tough shot off the screen it rattles out Howard goes over Jenny Sims no call but it stays to Indiana wheeler charging out to pull and move on guffaw about it instead we'll work off a screen from Larkins Pulham of Unga at the left elbow back to Larkins are laying a shot halfway down and Howard boards for Minnesota Natacha Howard the former Indiana Fever forward in year number two in Minnesota Maya Moore that's a beautiful fine to Sylvia Fowles Sylvia Fowles with nine points already has scored three more in the first quarter tonight then she scored in her last appearance inside Baker's Life Fieldhouse but it's the fever with a three point lead here in the first and a jump ball call as Howard and Montgomery breach in on Erica wheeler [Music] look at pokey Chapman who's been frustrated with the officiating really from the opening tip Minnesota's first three possessions on offense resulted in fever fouls just one has been called on the Lynx here in eight and a half first quarter minutes it'll be Natasha Howard at 6-foot two to go against the much smaller five seven Erica wheeler and Howard wins that tip with these and you can see why pokey Chapman's so frustrated with a play like that yes it's a jump ball 50/50 by Nature as Indiana gotta be called for holding underneath but when it's a player like Howard who has seven inches on a player like Erica wheeler it's essentially a turnover so that now the fifth team foul on Indiana it'll put Minnesota into the penalty gia Perkins to the foul line Jenny Sims called for the foul Indiana shooting it a laser like 71% here in the first quarter as Perkins gets her first shot to go which is fantastic news for Indiana who scored 52 points against Minnesota in their last meeting in Minneapolis as Perkins cans a pair but to be shooting 71% Cheryl Reeves group has to feel good to be down by just one Pulham of Unga will cross the time line for Indiana handoff Coleman looking for Larkin she threw it right at her Larkins wasn't ready but back into the hands of Coleman Coleman works off a screen retreats into the corner bouncing for Larkins she wasn't there in it's Indiana's fourth turnover Minnesota already with seven over the fever turnover Perkins pulling up over Simms that shot is short and one and done as Norris Coleman pulls down the rebound and an offensive foul now going against their Lena Larkins a moving screen while the fever are shooting 71% Minnesota at 50% and you look at that foul called on or Lena Larkins the high elbow the moving screens certainly the correct call there Minnesota has nine points from the foul line in the first quarter Indiana has yet to take a free throw in fact Minnesota's only been charged with one foul in this first quarter power to inbound she gets it in to Alexis Jones the first round draft pick the final pick of the 2017 first round rookie out of Baylor running point along with gia Perkins in the backcourt for Minnesota Perkins crossing over working on Sims out to chachi Lea's endless scene II was playing her first minutes of her career in the WNBA a lot of bumping from Perkins and finally Indiana gets the whistle and you can hear the sarcastic clap coming from pokey Chapman coming from the crown behind him they've certainly felt like they've been do more than a couple as that foul goes against gia Perkins Cecilia's analyst Seanie was signed yesterday for Minnesota out of Italy she was eligible to be drafted was not drafted and after a spectacular Eurobasket where she had 19 points 10 rebounds she's been signed by Minnesota who had an open roster spot bottom of Unga drives out to Coleman her three in the corner misses badly off the front of the rim hit part of the backboard tipped away off of Minnesota and it will stay with the fever 17 seconds remain here in the first indiana has led by as many as eight in this quarter a completely different showing from the game out in Minneapolis a week and a half ago paalam of Unga will give des Larkins who turns and faces a step right of center across the three-point line Larkins hands off the Coleman beyond the leg shot clock at once Holmen will have to throw up a prayer pick glances off the front of the rim and that will take us through one despite that miss Indiana at 63% 63% through one quarter they've led by as many as eight and lead it by one after one the former fever forward Howard sit around the post as analyst Eenie and the foul she got it poked away by wheeler kicks it into the corner out of bounds off Minnesota and Indiana will take over that's Minnesota second turnover the fever have yet to score off a Minnesota turnover in the end of shooting at at 63% Minnesota at 50 where Minnesota has been able to bridge that gap they are 9 of 9 from the line whereas Indiana has yet to take a free throw in this one wheeler dribbles it off her foot has to regain composure and gives to Larkins who turns faces and looks at Silvia Faust into the posta Coleman Coleman backing in on zaidel acini out to pull in move on go on a shot fake show launched from 3 it goes Jeannette Poland mo Bunga Indiana's sharpshooter from deep has the fever 4 of 5 from the three-point line Indiana who hit 11 three-pointers in their win over Minnesota and early August dangerous past knocked around gia Perkins comes up with it around his analyst CD on the high ride wing she goes into the corner may have traveled into the post now to Howard backing in on the smaller Coleman she turns faces and got found pull and move Unga was coming in to attempt to double-team but they got Marissa Coleman on the foul Natasha Howard and year number 4 was the fifth overall pick by the fever in 2014 was sent to Minnesota