As the Indiana Fever host the Dallas Wings to kick off the start of their 2026 WNBA season, Monique Billings is facing an unfamiliar reality. She may not be physically ready to return to the lineup.
Fever head coach Stephanie White spoke to the media before Saturday night’s game against the Wings, stating that the 30-year-old forward would take warmups and see how she feels.
“I’m not sure, I do what the trainers tell me,”, she said. “I think we’re gonna try to see a little bit more today and see where she is. I would anticipate that if she does play, she’ll be limited, but we want to continue to see the progress. And every day after activity, it’s reevaluated and then reevaluated after overnight.”
Billings suffered a lower-body injury during the first quarter of the Fever’s preseason finale against the Nigerian national team on May 2. She had an awkward fall and sustained an ankle sprain. Though it was not considered long-term, the Fever remain cautious. Since then, she has spent the last few days doing individual training and has yet to return to full-contact drills.
She is listed as questionable for the season opener. Billings, who was a marquee signing for the Fever in free agency, is one of their key players, and with a good chunk of the season still ahead, the goal is extensive rehab and daily treatment before she is fully cleared.
Monique Billings is among the best forward in the league, and on an Indiana team that values defense very highly, her absence will be felt. Without her, White and the Fever may find it a bit challenging to generate offense. If she can’t get cleared before tipoff, forward Myisha Hines-Allen will likely get the nod. Billings averaged 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds last year with the Golden State Valkyries before her free agency move.
How to watch Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever season opener?
The Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever season opener is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. The marquee matchup will be nationally broadcast on ABC and Disney Channel. The two teams met in the preseason, where the Fever lost 95-80.
