The Portland Fire and the Indiana Fever meet for the first time in 24 years on Wednesday. The Fire have surprised many after going 2-2 in their return to the WNBA as one of the two expansion teams this season. The Fire lost their opener 98-83 to the Chicago Sky. Portland secured a surprising 98-96 win over the New York Liberty in its second outing, thanks to Sarah Ashlee Barker’s putback at the buzzer.
After the Liberty avenged that loss two days later with a 100-82 blowout, the Fire bounced back against the Connecticut Sun with an 83-82 win in its fourth game on Monday. It was Sug Sutton this time who made the go-ahead game-winner. Meanwhile, Bridget Carleton and Sarah Ashlee Barker maintained their solid form, scoring 18 points each.
On the other hand, the Fever are also 2-2, getting off to another unpredictable, slow start. Indiana dropped its opener 107-104 to the Dallas Wings in the clutch and followed it up with an 87-78 road win over the Los Angeles Sparks. The Fever fell to 1-2 after losing another clutch battle, this time against the Washington Mystics, who won the overtime contest 104-102.
On Sunday, the Fever took care of business against the Seattle Storm with an 89-78 result. Caitlin Clark has been off to a hot start, averaging a team-high 24.2 points and 9.0 assists. She’s tied for third in rebounds, averaging 5.0 boards.
The Fever are 13.5-point favorites to improve to 3-2. The Fire are +600 to cause an upset.
Portland Fire vs. Indiana Fever Injury Reports
Fire injury report
The Fire have listed leading scorer Carla Leita as questionable due to a right ankle injury. Kamiah Small is also listed as questionable due to a left ankle injury. Karlie Samuelson is out citing a left foot injury.
Fever injury report
The Fever haven’t listed anyone on their injury report, but a notable update on Aliyah Boston will see her return to action after missing the last game.
Portland Fire vs. Indiana Fever Starting Lineups Tonight
Fire starting lineup
G – Carla Leite*, F – Bridget Carleton, F – Emily Engstler, F – Nyadiew Pucoh, C – Luisa Geislsoder
Fever starting lineup
G – Caitlin Clark, G – Kelsey Mitchell, G – Lexie Hull, F – Monique Billings, C – Aliyah Boston
Portland Fire vs. Indiana Fever Rosters
Fire roster
| Guards | Forwards | Centers |
| Karlie Samuelson | Bridget Carleton | Megan Gustafson |
| Sug Sutton | Kamiah Smalls | Luisa Gieselsoder |
| Holly Winterburn | Emily Engstler | Serah Williams |
| Haley Jones | Frieda Buhner | |
| Sarah Ashlee Barker | Nyadiew Puoch | |
| Carla Leite | ||
| Teja Oblak |
Fever roster
| Guards | Forwards | Centers |
| Caitlin Clark | Monique Billings | Aliyah Boston |
| Kelsey Mitchell | Lexie Hull | Damiris Dantas |
| Raven Johnson | Sophie Cunningham | |
| Tyasha Harris | Myisha Hines-Allen | |
| Shatori Walker-Kimbrough |
