The Indiana Fever are set to face the New York Liberty in their preseason opener, but will be missing several key players.
Four players will be unavailable for selection.
Injury Concerns for Fever
Aliyah Boston (lower leg), Tyasha Harris (knee) and Lexie Hull (hamstring) have all been ruled out due to injuries.
According to a league source, Boston and Harris are on a return to play regimen, while Hull is dealing with tightness in her hamstring. The source confirmed that all three players would be active if this were a regular-season game.
Boston withdrew from last month’s FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico after suffering a right lower extremity injury on Feb. 27. She stated on Sunday that she was “feeling good to go” and “ready to get to work.”
Hull participated in all 44 regular-season games last season, averaging 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds and 27 minutes per game.
Dantas’ Visa Issues
Damiris Dantas is not with the team due to ongoing visa issues.
Liberty’s Player Availability
The New York Liberty also have players listed as out or questionable. Rebecca Allen, Marine Fauthoux are out, and Satou Sabally is questionable under reconditioning.
Pauline Astier, Raquel Carrera, Leonie Fiebich and Ugonne Onyiah are not with the team.
Coach White’s Perspective
Fever coach Stephanie White said on Friday morning that they would wait until after practice to determine player availability.
She added that they wanted to give their new players and their young players an opportunity to log minutes.
With several players unavailable, the Fever will be looking to provide opportunities for other members of the squad in the preseason game.