Washington Mystics vs Indiana Fever Preview

Mystics  vs Fever

When: Sunday, Sept 7th, at 3:00 p.m.

Where: CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, MD

TV: NBA TV | Monumental Sports Network

Injury

Mystics: Georgia Amoore (Out for the Season/ACL), Jacy Sheldon (Out/ Right Ankle Injury)

Fever: Caitlin Clark (Out for the Season/ Groin), Sydney Colson (Out for the Season/ Knee), Chloe Bibby (Out for the Season/ Knee), Sophie Cunningham (Out for the Season/ Knee), Aari McDonald (Out for the Season/ Foot)

Keep An Eye on: 

Sonia Citron vs Kelsey Mitchell: The matchup between Mystics All-Star rookie Sonia Citron and Indiana’s potential All-WNBA guard Kelsey Mitchell will likely be the deciding factor in this contest. Citron enters tonight looking to redeem herself after a quiet outing in Washington’s 75-69 loss to Phoenix, where she was held in check by the Mercury’s length and athleticism. Scoring just 7 points on 3-of-10 shooting while grabbing 4 rebounds was well below the standard she’s set for most of her rookie campaign. For the Mystics to have success against Indiana, Citron will need to re-establish herself as an aggressive scoring threat while also impacting the game on the defensive end.

Mitchell, meanwhile, comes in riding momentum after powering the Fever to a 97-77 rout of Chicago. She controlled the action with 20 points and 8 assists, both game-highs, showcasing her ability to both score and create for others. Like Citron, Mitchell shoulders a heavy workload as a primary scorer, defender, and secondary playmaker, and her ability to maintain efficiency in those areas has consistently given Indiana an edge. The battle between these two dynamic guards will be pivotal, and whichever one rises to the occasion is likely to tilt the game in their team’s favor.

Offensive Rebounds: Offensive rebounding might not draw the casual fan’s attention, but it will be a critical factor in determining the outcome of this matchup between the Washington Mystics and Indiana Fever. Both teams boast versatile and talented frontcourts, with the Mystics leaning on rookie standout KiKi Iriafen as well as the athletic and skilled center Shakira Austin, while the Fever counter with All-Star Aliyah Boston and seasoned veteran Natasha Howard. While all four players impact the game in multiple ways—scoring, passing, defense, and screen-setting—rebounding, and more specifically offensive rebounding, will be the deciding factor in this contest.

Indiana has excelled in that area, ranking fourth in the WNBA with just under nine offensive boards per game. Their effort on the glass directly fuels their offense, as they lead the league in second-chance points at 13.5 per contest. Boston and Howard combine for 4.4 offensive rebounds alone, accounting for nearly half of Indiana’s total output. This relentless pursuit of extra possessions has been a cornerstone of the Fever’s success, allowing them to punish opponents not just with second-chance baskets, but also by dictating the game’s tempo and momentum.

Washington, by contrast, has struggled to consistently control the glass, ranking near the bottom of the WNBA in rebounding. The Mystics collect just 25.4 defensive boards per game, which places them eighth in the league. Still, Iriafen and Austin combine for nearly 11 defensive rebounds per game, meaning the duo has the ability to rise to the occasion if they set the tone early. Limiting Indiana’s second-chance points will not only prevent easy baskets but also disrupt the Fever’s preferred fast pace, as they currently rank fourth in the league in pace at 78.2. As Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley once famously said, “No rebounds, no rings.” While there’s no championship on the line this afternoon, the sentiment remains true—the team that controls the boards will almost certainly control the game.