Sun Fever preview: Clark starts before All-Star break
The Indiana Fever host the Connecticut Sun in their final game before the WNBA All-Star break, with tipoff at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Sun Fever rematch airs on USA Network, as Caitlin Clark starts and rookie Raven Johnson is a late scratch.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana (16-10) closes a four-game homestand against Connecticut (7-19) in the last game before the All-Star break.
- Clark is available and starting; Raven Johnson was scratched with a lower-body injury, and Damiris Dantas remains out.
- TV: USA Network (also local Fever/Iowa options); tip is 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- Fever won the first 2026 meeting 85-75 on June 13; the teams meet again Aug. 28 in Indianapolis.
When and where is the Sun Fever game?
According to the Indiana Fever game preview, tipoff is Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Hawk Central lists the same tip as 7 p.m. CT for the Fever's 27th regular-season game.
National TV is USA Network, with Kate Scott, Sarah Kustok, and Edona Thaqi on the call. Local options include WTHR/Fever Direct and Iowa stations WOI Local 5 and WQAD, plus radio on 93.5/107.5 The Fan. Fubo is listed as a streaming option.
Who is in and who is out for Indiana?
IndyStar reported that Raven Johnson was a late scratch after a lower-body injury in warmups, announced about 30 minutes before tip. Damiris Dantas remains out with left knee soreness. Clark, listed as probable, is available and starting.
Fever probable starters in the team preview were Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Monique Billings, and Aliyah Boston. Connecticut's listed group included Charlisse Leger-Walker, Leila Lacan, Diamond Miller, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and Brittney Griner.
Why does this Sun Fever matchup matter before the break?
Indiana is trying to finish the homestand 3-1 after weekend wins over Seattle and New York. Clark scored 45 points with 10 assists Friday against the Storm, and Mitchell posted back-to-back 30-point games, including Saturday versus the Liberty. Both rank among the league's top-five scorers, with Mitchell second and Clark fifth.
Defense remains a focus: the Fever rank 10th in defensive rating and are 2-7 when allowing 100 or more points. Connecticut has been hit by injuries—Aaliyah Edwards, Saniya Rivers, and Aneesah Morrow were sidelined Sunday—while Griner leads the Sun at just over 14 points per game and scored 19 in a loss to Phoenix.
Indiana won the Commissioner's Cup meeting 85-75 on June 13, with Clark scoring 25. After Wednesday, the Fever visit Seattle, Portland, and Minnesota before hosting Las Vegas on Aug. 6. More coverage lives in our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.