Indiana Fever Get Unexpected Help Before Seattle Storm Game

Seattle Storm Log Heavy Minutes in 2OT Loss to Sparks

After the Fever vs. Wings game went final, Stephanie White's team got to watch with their feet up as the Storm lost 108-106 to the Los Angeles Sparks in a double-overtime thriller.

Storm coach Noelle Quinn only used eight players in the marathon affair, leading to heavy minutes for key players.

• Nneka Ogwumike, 34 years old — 46 minutes vs. LA, season average 30.8
• Skylar Diggins, 34 years old — 43 minutes vs. LA, season average 32.0
• Gabby Williams, 28 years old — 42 minutes vs. LA, season average 32.8
• Erica Wheeler, 34 years old — 39 minutes vs. LA, season average 27.5

Seattle has the oldest roster in the WNBA with an average age of 30.8 years old. They will have to battle the emotional and physical toll of the 2OT defeat on short rest before the noon local time tip-off against the Fever on Sunday.

By contrast, the Fever have an average age of 27.9, and none of White's players played more than 32 minutes (Kelsey Mitchell) against the Wings.

Fever Surviving Until Caitlin Clark Returns From Injury

Clark is not expected to play on Sunday as she remains out indefinitely with a right groin injury with "no timetable available" for her return.

Clark has missed 15 WNBA games, but the Fever have gone 8-7 in her absence. That does not include winning the WNBA Commissioner's Cup without Clark against the Minnesota Lynx.

Clark's return date is unknown, but it would not make sense to bring her back during the condensed road trip. Their next home game is Saturday, Aug. 9 against the struggling Chicago Sky.

When Clark does return, it will take time to re-integrate her into the rotation alongside midseason acquisitions like Chloe Bibby and Aari McDonald. Their "long-term" approach is geared toward having Clark at full strength for the playoffs, which begin September 14.

Before that, the Fever need to stack as many wins as they can to reduce the pressure on Clark's return. Their opportunity to do so against an aging and exhausted Storm team got even bigger on Friday.