Latest news with #NatashaHoward
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WNBA Rookie Sends Clear Caitlin Clark Message After Sun Defeat Fever
WNBA Rookie Sends Clear Caitlin Clark Message After Sun Defeat Fever originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Indiana Fever lost their second game in a row without Caitlin Clark when they fell to the Connecticut Sun by a final score of 85-83. Advertisement Clark is out with a quad injury, and without her, the Fever fell behind by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter. They mounted a rally in the final minutes to make things competitive, but Kelsey Mitchell's potential game-tying jumper just before time expired was no good. Sun guard Saniya Rivers, who had 12 points and six assists, admitted that her team wanted to take advantage of Clark's absence. "We knew Caitlin wasn't playing…we really wanted to exploit that," she said. On Friday, Aliyah Boston led Indiana in scoring with 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field, and dished off eight assists. But without Clark, it lacked that game-breaking threat that could at least keep things close throughout. Advertisement Indiana came into this season considered a legitimate championship contender, especially since it had brought in veteran two-time All-Star forward Natasha Howard and six-time All-Star wing DeWanna Bonner. But Clark is expected to miss a total of about two weeks due to her injury, and her absence could put a sizable dent in their record. May 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) talks to a referee against the Atlanta Dream in the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Clark, of course, was last year's Rookie of the Year and led the WNBA in assists. She is credited with putting women's basketball on the map of relevancy, first at Iowa and then as a pro rookie in 2024. The Fever will have the weekend off before hosting the Washington Mystics on Tuesday. Advertisement Related: Lexie Hull's Honest Response to Caitlin Clark's Behavior Amid Injury This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Indiana Fever Facing Backlash Over Coaching Decision
Indiana Fever Facing Backlash Over Coaching Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's only six games, of course, and there are plenty of reasons why the Indiana Fever have now fallen to 2-4 after being beaten by a previously winless team for the second time this week. It was Washington on Wednesday, but on Friday, the Fever bequeathed the Connecticut Sun their debut 2025 victory. Advertisement Safe to say it was not supposed to go like this. But early losses to a pair of good teams--the Dream and Liberty--were followed by a quad injury to star guard Caitlin Clark which, in turn, was followed by the two humbling losses this week. No one doubts Clark's star power, of course, but the organization put in too much work to bring in too many reinforcements for the Fever to look this bad without Clark. That starts with coach Stephanie White, returning to the Fever with an impressive in place of Christie Sides. Adding players like DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard and Sydney Colson was supposed to make this a stifling defensive team, but the Sun and Mystics combined to shoot 61-for-129 (47.3%) in the last two games without Clark. Not very stifling. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark talks with head coach Stephanie White before the game against the Washington Mystics at Entertainment & Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images They've also been shockingly bad in getting into transition--they've been outscored, 23-4, in the past two games without Clark. Advertisement There are excuses for all of this, of course. But increasingly, fans are suggesting that the reason the team brought in White, who had a 92-56 record as a head coach coming into 2025, was to guide the Fever through moments like this. And with White falling short, the questin is being raised: Why did the Fever fire Sides in the first place? Sides may have been on the sideline as the Fever started 1-8 last year, but she also resided over their 19-12 bounce-back that landed Indiana in the playoffs. Watching this team struggle without Clark this week under White, it's fair to wonder if the move on Sides was not too hasty. One fan put it bluntly: "I will keep saying, Stephanie White is a terrible head coach, Christie Sides better." Advertisement There was also this, "After 4 gms, I don't see no difference between Christie Sides & Stephanie White coaching but some Fever fans told me she was an upgrade !!" One fan added, "OMG, the Fever absolute (expletive) without CC... they are losing to the worse team in the league at home... Stephanie White was supposed to be the difference as opposed to Christie Sides." And there was this: This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
6 days ago
- General
- New York Times
How to watch Fever at Mystics: Indiana plays first game after Caitlin Clark's injury
Wednesday night starts a crucial juncture for the ever-popular Indiana Fever. Stephanie White and her squad are 2-2, with the two losses by a combined three points. Now Caitlin Clark will be on ice for at least two weeks, after suffering a quad injury in Saturday's loss to New York. Indiana needs to hold it down and remain competitive for the next handful of games, beginning with a road look at the Washington Mystics on Wednesday. Advertisement This matchup marks Clark's first missed game since at least high school. She played the entirety of her four years at Iowa, and started all 40 games as a rookie. In her absence, Indiana will probably go inside more frequently. Aliyah Boston has been fantastic in the early going, averaging an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double on better than 60 percent shooting. Twelve-year WNBA hooper Natasha Howard has two brilliant games in her new threads, but two six-point duds. She's averaging two offensive boards so far. Expect Kelsey Mitchell to let it fly as her usage soars. Without Clark, she'll be tasked with shot creation on the outside. Mitchell went 6-for-16 against the Liberty over the weekend, but she's certainly capable of getting hot. Washington won its first two matchups, but hits Wednesday on a three-game slide. It endured consecutive one-possession Ls against Golden State and Las Vegas, then lost to Phoenix by six on Sunday. It was still an admirable western road trip for the young Mystics, and taking the formidable Aces to the edge deserves props. Sonia Citron is one made free-throw from a 50/40/90 start to her pro career, while fellow rookie Kiki Iriafen has been an immediate force on the offensive glass. Washington has the W's best 3-point shooting percentage (38.1), but it is ninth in 2-point shooting (45.6). Sydney Johnson's group is No. 2 in turnovers with 16 giveaways per game. They foul more than any other team, but they also shoot the most free throws. Indiana is second in scoring average and third in effective shooting percentage. The Fever also play with the fastest pace in the league (83 possessions per 40 minutes). The composition of the offense will look drastically different without Clark, though. Best player to wear both jerseys: Shavonte Zellous. She won a title and Most Improved Player with Indy, and finished her 12-year WNBA career in the capital. Streaming, betting and ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Aliyah Boston: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Liberty vs. Fever odds, tips and betting trends - 5/24/2025
Liberty vs. Fever odds, tips and betting trends - 5/24/2025 Natasha Howard takes the Indiana Fever (2-1) up against the New York Liberty (2-0) after putting up 26 points in an 81-76 victory over the Dream. It's on Saturday, May 24, 2025, tipping at 1 p.m. ET on CBS. New York beat Chicago 99-74 on the road last time out, and were led by Natasha Cloud (18 PTS, 8 AST, 60.0 FG%, 4-5 from 3PT) and Kennedy Burke (17 PTS, 3 STL, 83.3 FG%, 4-4 from 3PT). In its previous game, Indiana defeated Atlanta 81-76 on the road, with Howard (26 PTS, 7 REB, 70.6 FG%) and Kelsey Mitchell (17 PTS, 36.8 FG%) leading the way. Ahead of this showdown, here's everything you need to prepare for Saturday's action. Watch this game on Fubo! (regional restrictions may apply) New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever odds and betting lines WNBA odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Friday at 6:05 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Spread: Liberty (-2.5) Liberty (-2.5) Over/under: 170.5 170.5 Favorite: Liberty (-155, bet $155 to win $100) Liberty (-155, bet $155 to win $100) Underdog: Fever (+130, bet $100 to win $130) Liberty moneyline insights (2024) The Liberty won 36 of the 46 games they were listed as the moneyline favorite last season (78.3%). New York had a 34-9 record last year (winning 79.1% of its games) when playing as a moneyline favorite of -155 or shorter. The implied moneyline probability in this matchup gives the Liberty a 60.8% chance to win. The Liberty and their opponents went over 170.5 combined points in 17 of 51 games last season. New York's outings last season had an average of 165.0 points, 5.5 fewer points than this game's over/under. Fever moneyline insights (2024) The Fever won eight, or 29.6%, of the 27 games they played as underdogs last season. Last season, the Fever won five of their 21 games, or 23.8%, when they were the underdog by at least +130 on the moneyline. The Fever have a 43.5% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline. The Liberty's 51 games last season went over this contest's total of 170.5 points 17 times. The average number of points in Indiana's matchups last year was 169.6, which is 0.9 fewer points than this game's over/under. Liberty vs. Fever: Live streaming info & game time Game day: Saturday, May 24, 2025 Saturday, May 24, 2025 Game time: 1 p.m. ET 1 p.m. ET Stadium: Gainbridge Fieldhouse Gainbridge Fieldhouse TV channel: CBS CBS Live stream: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply) Fubo Live Stream: Paramount+ Watch this game on Fubo! (regional restrictions may apply)
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Indiana hosts New York following Howard's 26-point outing
New York Liberty (2-0, 1-0 Eastern Conference) at Indiana Fever (2-1, 2-1 Eastern Conference) Indianapolis; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Indiana Fever hosts the New York Liberty after Natasha Howard scored 26 points in the Indiana Fever's 81-76 win against the Atlanta Dream. Indiana went 20-20 overall and 11-9 in Eastern Conference games a season ago. The Fever averaged 85.0 points per game last season, 13.3 from the free-throw line and 27.6 from deep. New York went 16-4 in Eastern Conference action and 32-8 overall during the 2024-25 season. The Liberty gave up 76.5 points per game while committing 15.4 fouls last season. INJURIES: Fever: None listed. Liberty: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
