Fever Coach Stephanie White Shares Concerning Update on Rookie

Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Fever Coach Stephanie White Shares Concerning Update on Rookie

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Apr 30, 2026 6:42 PM ET

Indiana Fever Raven Johnson has an opportunity to build on her strong debut when the team returns to action on Thursday for another preseason matchup.

The 5-foot-8 guard logged 18 minutes off the bench for head coach Stephanie White on Saturday against the New York Liberty. Johnson registered six points on 3-of-3 shooting, three rebounds, eight assists, a steal and two blocks. She helped lead Indiana to an easy 109-91 win over the Liberty on the road.

Johnson is not the only rookie who made her debut against New York. Justine Pissott, the Fever’s No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, also got her first taste of action in the Liberty game.

The former Vanderbilt Commodores star played 10 minutes, logging eight points, one rebound, an assist and two triples.

Indiana Fever forward Justine Pissott (13) poses for a photo during media day.© Grace Smith/IndyStar via Imagn Images

Pissott, however, will not be available to play on Thursday against the Dallas Wings. The Fever announced on Wednesday that the 6-foot-4 guard-forward had been ruled out due to a lower leg injury.

Coach White spoke to reporters ahead of Thursday’s game, and she had a concerning update on the status of Pissott’s injury. According to White, there is no timetable for the rookie’s return to action, per Chloe Peterson of Indianapolis Star.

White also revealed that the leg injury is a lingering concern from Pissott's college days. The 22-year-old is now consulting with doctors in Indianapolis. White added that the Fever plan to “take things as they come and make sure she gets the attention and time that she needs.”

The Fever play their final preseason game on Saturday against the Nigerian national squad. At this point, Pissott’s status for that contest can be considered uncertain. It also remains to be seen if she will be ready for the team’s season-opener on May 9 against the Wings.

Pissott played 34 games for Vanderbilt as a senior last season. She averaged 11.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists, while also knocking down 2.8 triples on a 42.2% clip.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: