2019 Indiana Fever season

Last updated

2019 Indiana Fever season
Coach Pokey Chatman
Arena Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Attendance5,887 per game
Results
Record1321 (.382)
Place4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Team Leaders
Points Kelsey Mitchell – 13.6 ppg
Rebounds Teaira McCowan – 9.0 rpg
Assists Erica Wheeler – 5.0 apg
Media
Television Fox Sports Indiana, WNDY-TV, ESPN2, NBATV

The 2019 WNBA season was the 20th season for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association. The Fever opened the season on May 24, 2019 against the New York Liberty. [1]

Contents

The Fever had a promising start to their season, winning three of their first four games. However, from there they lost eight of their next ten to finish June with a 5–9 record. July proved disastrous for any playoff hopes the team had. Six losses in the month were book-ended by two wins. One bright spot from July was that Erica Wheeler was named WNBA All-Star Game MVP. The Fever's form improved into August where they posted a 4–5 record. Winning their last two games proved too little too late, as they missed out on a playoff spot for the third straight year.

After the season, it was announced that General Manager and Head Coach Pokey Chatman would not return for the 2020 season. [2]

Transactions

WNBA draft

The Fever made three selections in the 2019 WNBA draft, which was held on April 10:

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/Team/Country
13 Teaira McCowan Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Mississippi State
325 Paris Kea Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States North Carolina
328 Caliya Robinson Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Georgia

Trades and roster changes

DateDetails
February 1, 2019Signed F Natalie Achonwa [3] [4]
Signed G Shenise Johnson [3] [4]
Signed Erica Wheeler [3] [4]
February 5, 2019Signed G/F Betnijah Laney [5] [6]
February 18, 2019Signed F Asia Taylor to Training Camp Contract [7]
April 12, 2019Signed G Crystal Bradford to Training Camp Contract [8]
Signed G Bria Gross to Training Camp Contract [8]

Roster

2019 Indiana Fever roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
F 11 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Achonwa, Natalie 6' 3" (1.91m)190 lb (86kg)11-22-1992 Notre Dame 4
G 25 Flag of the United States.svg Burke, Kennedy 6' 1" (1.85m)182 lb (83kg)08-16-1997 UCLA R
F 4 Flag of the United States.svg Dupree, Candice 6' 2" (1.88m)178 lb (81kg)02-25-1984 Temple 13
G 42 Flag of the United States.svg Johnson, Shenise 5' 11" (1.8m)172 lb (78kg)12-09-1990 Miami (FL) 6
G 7 Flag of the United States.svg Kea, Paris 5' 9" (1.75m)142 lb (64kg)04-07-1996 North Carolina R
G 44 Flag of the United States.svg Laney, Betnijah 6' 0" (1.83m)160 lb (73kg)10-29-1993 Rutgers 3
F 23 Flag of the United States.svg Mavunga, Stephanie 6' 3" (1.91m)205 lb (93kg)02-24-1995 Ohio State 1
F 22 Flag of the United States.svg McCall, Erica 6' 2" (1.88m)184 lb (83kg)08-21-1995 Stanford 2
C 15 Flag of the United States.svg McCowan, Teaira 6' 7" (2.01m)239 lb (108kg)09-28-1996 Mississippi State R
G 3 Flag of the United States.svg Mitchell, Tiffany 5' 9" (1.75m)152 lb (69kg)09-23-1994 South Carolina 4
G 0 Flag of the United States.svg Mitchell, Kelsey 5' 11" (1.8m)151 lb (68kg)11-12-1995 Ohio State 1
G 35 Flag of the United States.svg Vivians, Victoria 6' 1" (1.85m)183 lb (83kg)11-17-1994 Mississippi State 1
G 17 Flag of the United States.svg Wheeler, Erica 5' 7" (1.7m)143 lb (65kg)05-02-1991 Rutgers 4
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg Pokey Chatman (LSU)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Christie Sides (Louisiana Tech)
Athletic trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Todd Champlin (Daemen)
Strength and conditioning coach
Flag of the United States.svg Chase Campbell (Ball State)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Schedule

Preseason

2019 pre-season game log
May: 3–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 14@ Chicago Sky W 69–58 K. Mitchell (11) McCowan (8) K. Mitchell (4) Wintrust Arena
4,033
1–0
2May 16 Chicago Sky W 76–65 T. Mitchell (15)Tied (7) Wheeler (8) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
3,794
2–0
3May 19@ Dallas Wings W 71–66 K. Mitchell (26) McCowan (6) Johnson (6) College Park Center
3,428
3–0
2019 pre-season schedule

Regular season

2019 game log
Total: 13–21 (Home: 7–10 Road: 6–11)
May: 1–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 24@ New York Liberty W 81–80 T. Mitchell (22) Dupree (7) Wheeler (5) Westchester County Center
1,965
1–0
2May 28@ Connecticut Sun L 77–88 Wheeler (26) Dupree (8) Wheeler (9) Mohegan Sun Arena
4,781
1–1
June : 4–8 (Home: 2–4; Road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
3June 1 New York Liberty W 92–77 K. Mitchell (23) McCowan (6) Wheeler (6) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
5,003
2–1
4June 7 Dallas Wings W 79–64 Achonwa (17)Tied (11) Wheeler (9) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
3,671
3–1
5June 9 Phoenix Mercury L 87–94 K. Mitchell (26) Achonwa (7) K. Mitchell (6) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
3,336
3–2
6June 11 Seattle Storm L 82–84 K. Mitchell (21) Dupree (15) K. Mitchell (7) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
3,506
3–3
7June 13@ Dallas Wings W 76–72 Dupree (20) Laney (11) T. Mitchell (5) College Park Center
3,562
4–3
8June 15 Chicago Sky L 64–70 K. Mitchell (16) T. Mitchell (8) Wheeler (8) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
4,715
4–4
9June 19@ Atlanta Dream L 78–88 Dupree (19) McCowan (14) Wheeler (5) State Farm Arena
6,474
4–5
10June 21@ Chicago Sky W 76–69 Wheeler (28) McCowan (13) Wheeler (8) Wintrust Arena
4,945
5–5
11June 23@ Seattle Storm L 61–65 Wheeler (18) McCowan (13) Wheeler (4) Alaska Airlines Arena
7,211
5–6
12June 25 Minnesota Lynx L 74–78 K. Mitchell (17)3 tied (7) Wheeler (4) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
4,692
5–7
13June 28@ Phoenix Mercury L 69–91 Dupree (15) McCowan (10) Wheeler (3) Talking Stick Resort Arena
9,435
5–8
14June 29@ Las Vegas Aces L 97–102 (OT) K. Mitchell (21) Achonwa (9) Wheeler (8) Mandalay Bay Events Center
4,581
5–9
July : 2–6 (Home: 1–3; Road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
15July 5@ Dallas Wings W 76–58 T. Mitchell (16) McCowan (12) Wheeler (7) College Park Center
5,093
6–9
16July 10 Las Vegas Aces L 71–74 Dupree (13) McCowan (12) Wheeler (7) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
9,247
6–10
17July 12 Los Angeles Sparks L 84–90 Tied (11)3 tied (5) K. Mitchell (5) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
7,849
6–11
18July 14 Connecticut Sun L 63–76 K. Mitchell (14) McCowan (8)Tied (4) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
6,434
6–12
19July 19 Washington Mystics L 88–95 (OT) Wheeler (18) Achonwa (12) Wheeler (5) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
6,726
6–13
20July 21@ Chicago Sky L 70–78 Wheeler (13) McCowan (16) Wheeler (9) Wintrust Arena
6,614
6–14
21July 23@ Phoenix Mercury L 77–95 Wheeler (18) McCowan (9) Wheeler (9) Talking Stick Resort Arena
8,528
6–15
22July 31 Atlanta Dream W 61–59 Wheeler (15) McCowan (14) K. Mitchell (4) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
5,702
7–15
August : 4–5 (Home: 3–2; Road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
23August 3 Minnesota Lynx W 86–75 K. Mitchell (20) McCowan (8) K. Mitchell (9) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
7,884
8–15
24August 8@ Washington Mystics L 78–91 K. Mitchell (18) Mavunga (6) K. Mitchell (6) St. Elizabeth's East Arena
3,013
8–16
25August 10 Atlanta Dream W 87–82 Wheeler (19) Dupree (9) Wheeler (7) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
7,923
9–16
26August 18@ Washington Mystics L 68–107 T. Mitchell (17) McCowan (10) Achonwa (5) St. Elizabeth's East Arena
4,034
9–17
27August 20 New York Liberty L 76–82 McCowan (24) McCowan (8)Tied (5) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
5,340
9–18
28August 22@ Los Angeles Sparks L 65–98 K. Mitchell (14) McCowan (7) Wheeler (6) Staples Center
8,816
9–19
29August 25@ Seattle Storm W 63–54 McCowan (22) McCowan (19)Tied (3) Alaska Airlines Arena
8,076
10–19
30August 27 Las Vegas Aces W 86–71 McCowan (24) McCowan (17)4 tied (4) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
6,958
11–19
31August 29 Los Angeles Sparks L 83–87 McCowan (24) McCowan (10) K. Mitchell (5) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
5,641
11–20
September : 2–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
32September 1@ Minnesota Lynx L 73–81 Dupree (18) McCowan (11) T. Mitchell (6) Target Center
8,833
11–21
33September 6@ New York Liberty W 86–81 K. Mitchell (22) McCowan (13) Wheeler (6) Westchester County Center
2,301
12–21
34September 8 Connecticut Sun W 104–76 K. Mitchell (38) McCowan (9) Laney (7) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
5,451
13–21
2019 season schedule

Standings

# Eastern Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
1 Washington Mystics (1)268.76514–312–513–3
2 Connecticut Sun (2)2311.676315–28–911–5
3 Chicago Sky (5)2014.588612–58–911–5
4e Indiana Fever 1321.382137–106–117–9
5e New York Liberty 1024.294164–136–113–13
6e Atlanta Dream 826.235185–123–143–13

Awards and honors

RecipientAwardDate awardedRef.
Candice Dupree WNBA All-Star Selection July 15, 2019 [9]
Erica Wheeler
Teaira McCowan WNBA All-Rookie Team September 16, 2019 [10]

Statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage TO  Turnovers per game
 PF  Fouls per gameTeam leaderLeague leader

Regular season

Source: [11]

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Kelsey Mitchell 342025.138.737.483.61.62.60.40.113.6
Candice Dupree 343430.747.2083.95.02.50.40.611.6
Erica Wheeler 343425.042.838.487.23.05.01.20.110.1
Teaira McCowan 341622.151.7068.79.00.20.61.310.0
Tiffany Mitchell 331425.238.129.089.22.82.20.60.19.7
Natalie Achonwa 301821.148.825.090.95.21.60.60.78.7
Betnijah Laney 342725.836.230.358.14.21.71.40.15.6
Shenise Johnson 17012.933.324.293.82.11.10.70.112.9
Kennedy Burke 31713.638.535.070.51.50.70.60.34.4
Paris Kea 1105.540.755.650.00.50.50.10.22.6
Stephanie Mavunga 2408.551.1070.62.30.20.30.32.5
Erica McCall 1506.913.601001.80.40.10.40.9

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Liberty</span> Basketball team in Brooklyn, New York

The New York Liberty are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Liberty compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as part of the league's Eastern Conference. The team was founded in 1997 and is one of the eight original franchises of the league. The team is owned by Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai, the majority owners of the Brooklyn Nets. The team's home games are played at Barclays Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Fever</span> American womens professional basketball team

The Indiana Fever are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded before the 2000 season began. The team is owned by Herb Simon, the founder of Simon Malls, who also owns the Fever's NBA counterpart, the Indiana Pacers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Sky</span> American WNBA womens professional basketball team

The Chicago Sky is an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Sky compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league's Eastern Conference. The franchise was founded prior to the 2006 season. The Sky experienced a period of success from 2013 to 2016, making four playoff appearances and playing in the 2014 WNBA Finals. They experienced a second period of success from 2019 to 2022 and won their first championship in the 2021 WNBA Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pokey Chatman</span> American basketball player and coach

Dana "Pokey" Chatman is currently an assistant coach for the Seattle Storm in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Chatman is the former head coach of the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky of the WNBA. She is also the former head coach of the LSU Lady Tigers basketball team and the Spartak Moscow women's basketball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlanta Dream</span> Womens basketball team

The Atlanta Dream are an American professional basketball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded for the 2008 WNBA season. The team is owned by real estate investors Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and former Dream player Renee Montgomery. Although the Dream share the Atlanta market with the National Basketball Association's Hawks, the Dream is not affiliated with its NBA counterpart. The Dream play at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erlana Larkins</span> American basketball player

Erlana La'Nay Larkins is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natalie Achonwa</span> Canadian basketball player

Natalie Chioma Achonwa is a Canadian professional basketball player who most recently played for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball team. Achonwa was born in Toronto, Ontario, started playing basketball in Guelph, Ontario, and is 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betnijah Laney</span> American basketball player

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is an American professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for Rutgers University.

The Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award is an annual Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) award given since the league's 2008 season, that recognizes a player who is an inspiration in her community and reflects Dawn Staley’s leadership, spirit, charitable efforts and love for the game. This is the same criterion used by the analogous NBA Community Assist Award, given by the NBA since its 2001-02 season. However, this award is distinct from the WNBA Community Assist Award, first presented on a monthly basis in 2009 with a season-long award added in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erica Wheeler (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Erica Wheeler is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Wheeler was undrafted out of Rutgers, but eventually made her way into the WNBA in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 WNBA season</span> Sports season

The 2019 WNBA season was the 23rd season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Seattle Storm were the defending champions. The regular season began on May 24, with the Atlanta Dream hosting the Dallas Wings and the New York Liberty hosting the Indiana Fever. The season ended with the Washington Mystics securing their first WNBA Title over the Connecticut Sun three games to two, in a closely contested finals. Emma Meesseman was named Finals MVP and teammate Elena Delle Donne was named regular season MVP.

The 2020 WNBA season was the 24th season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Washington Mystics were the defending champions. Planned changes to the league's schedule included an increase from 34 to 36 regular season games for each team, the introduction of a mid-season Commissioner's Cup tournament, and more games broadcast on ESPN and ABC. This was the first season under a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the WNBA Players Association. However, on April 3, the season was indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under a plan approved on June 15, the league began a shortened 22-game regular season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, without fans present on July 25. A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces was named the league MVP. The Seattle Storm won the 2020 WNBA Finals over the Aces, and Breanna Stewart was named the Finals MVP.

The 2020 WNBA season was the 13th season for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association. The team began its season on July 26, 2020, against the Dallas Wings.

The 2020 Indiana Fever season was the franchise's 21st season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The regular season tipped off on July 25, 2020, versus the Washington Mystics.

The 2021 New York Liberty season was the 25th season for the New York Liberty franchise of the WNBA. The Liberty opened the regular season on May 14, 2021 versus the Indiana Fever.

The 2023 Indiana Fever season was the franchise's 24th season in the Women's National Basketball Association, and their first season under new head coach Christie Sides.

The 2023 Minnesota Lynx season was the 25th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the fourteenth season under head coach Cheryl Reeve.

The 2023 Seattle Storm season was the franchise's 24th season in the Women's National Basketball Association, and the second full season under head coach Noelle Quinn. Quinn took over in May of the 2021 season.

The 2023 WNBA season was the 27th season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, repeated as champions after defeating the New York Liberty 3 games to 1 in the Finals.

References

  1. "Indiana Fever WNBA Basketball - Schedule". Fever.wnba.com. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  2. "Pokey Chatman Will Not Return As Head Coach & General Manager". WNBA.com. WNBA. September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 "Achonwa, Johnson and Wheeler Sign Free Agent Deals". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 "Fever re-sign Natalie Achonwa, Shenise Johnson and Erica Wheeler". espn.com. Associated Press. February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  5. "Fever Sign Betnijah Laney to Free Agent Contract". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  6. Megdal, Howard (February 8, 2019). "Report: Indiana Fever set to sign Betnijah Laney". highposthoops.com. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  7. "Asia Taylor Signs Training Camp Contract to Return to Fever". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Fever Sign Crystal Bradford and Bria Goss to training camp contracts". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. April 12, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  9. "Seven-Time Selection Charles, Dupree, Highlight Reserves For All-Star". wnba.com. WNBA. July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  10. "Rookie of the Year Collier Headlines 2019 All-Rookie Team". wnba.com. WNBA. September 16, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  11. "Team Stats". dream.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved September 16, 2019.