Update on injuries to Aliyah Boston and Ty Harris: Stephanie White raises concerns in Indiana
Both players exited the loss to Minnesota
Indiana’s regular-season finale quickly turned from a bad night into a worrying one. The Fever were already being overwhelmed by Minnesota when Aliyah Boston left late in the first half with another issue in her right lower leg.
Ty Harris then went down awkwardly in the third quarter and had to be helped from the floor, leaving Indiana with more questions than answers just days before its first-round playoff series against Las Vegas.
After the 86-66 loss, coach Stephanie White offered a more encouraging update on Boston .
“Just a flare-up, same lower leg,” White said. Asked whether Boston was kept out after halftime mainly out of caution, White answered: “Yes.”
Boston has dealt with the same lower-leg problem at different points this season, and Indiana clearly had little reason to push her once the game had slipped away.
Boston’s status looms large
Boston finished with four points and three rebounds before exiting.
Her availability is especially important because Indiana’s offense has been built around the balance created by Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Boston .
Any limitation on Boston would leave the Fever with less interior scoring and rebounding against an Aces team led by A’ja Wilson .
The timing is awkward, but White ’s description suggested Indiana may have avoided a major setback. The same reassurance wasn't available with Harris .
Ty Harris injury remains bigger unknown
Harris was hurt after an awkward landing while attacking the basket in the third quarter and needed assistance leaving the floor. White said the team was still waiting for more information.
“No update on Ty yet,” she said. “She’s still being evaluated, so hopefully we’ll have an update later.”
Asked whether Harris ’ ankle had become trapped underneath her on the play, White said she couldn't tell: “I don’t know. It was an awkward fall. I’m not really sure.”
Harris ended the night with four points and two assists.
Finale cannot follow into the playoffs
Indiana ’s problems extended well beyond the injuries. The Fever opened 2-of-16 from the field, fell behind 25-4 and finished with season lows in both field-goal percentage and 3-point shooting.
“I know I said this two games ago, but I don’t believe we shoot it like that very often,” White said. “We just need to not let that affect us on the other end. We have to continue to be better.”
Clark struck a similar tone afterward. “At this point, everybody’s record is 0-0,” she said. “We’re going into the playoffs.”
She added: “We came out and got punched in the mouth, we didn’t make shots and had two players go down. This was a pretty crappy night overall.”
Indiana now turns to a best-of-three series with third-seeded Las Vegas. The immediate priority is to get clarity on Harris and make sure Boston ’s flare-up stays exactly that.
