The Indiana Fever kept their post season hopes alive in a big 95-75 win over the Seattle Storm Tuesday night. The blowout win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse catapulted the Fever from the 8th seed back up to the 6th spot.
The top 8 teams earn a playoff bid at the conclusion of the season. There was no panic around the team after losing back-to-back games against the league leading Minnesota Lynx resulting in the Fever to drop. After all, they've learned a thing or two about playing through adversity this season as a result of being constantly depleted by injuries.
The Fever have been without Caitlin Clark who missed her 16th straight game due to a groin injury and have recently been without Chloe Bibby who suffered a knee injury and the status of both players is still uncertain. They both are on the injury report along with Sophie Cunningham (MCL tear), Aari McDonald (broken foot) and Sydney Colson - all suffering season ending injuries. Panic set in at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after a nasty collision between the Storm's Gabby Williams and Lexie Hull. The Fever can't afford to lose any other players due to injury and when Hull exited the game and it certainly felt like the injury report was going to get even longer.
Hull had suffered another injury scare in the game against the Lynx where she was elbowed in the face by Kayla McBride. Two blows to the head in less than a week had fans anxiously waiting for her to check back into the game. Despite have a sizable knot that formed on her forehead, Hull checked back into the game after several minutes in the locker room.
Lexie Hull's physicality makes her an unsung hero
Lexie Hull isn't the type of player that worries about racking up the stat sheet. Rather, she is one that literally puts her body on the line every game to help give the team a chance to win. There isn't a single game where Hull isn't seen hitting the deck whether it's fighting for a lose ball or drawing offensive fouls - a category she has led the league in all season. She isn't a flashy player although she doesn't hesitate to hit her signature '3' sign after draining one from beyond the arc. It's never been about being the best player on the team for Hull.
After her most recent injury scare Tuesday night, she could have easily opted to remain out. She recognized the importance of the game and weight that it carried on the Fever's season, so she fought through the injury. Her playing minutes have gone up since the Fever became depleted at the guard position, which of course can increase the chance for injury the longer a player is out on the floor. Lexie Hull is a 'warrior', or so fans have labeled her on social media after her performance against the Storm. She finished with five points but hit a team high nine rebounds which also speaks to her ability to never quit on a play. Head coach Stephanie White didn't mince words when describing what Lexie Hull brings to her team.
"She is a tough young woman who battles every possession. You can never tell if Lexie's hurt or injured. If she goes down, she has the expression and just plays her butt off. She epitomizes the toughness of this team," White said.
It's not expected that Hull will miss any time due to her head injury. The Fever return to action Friday night against the Los Angeles Sparks in another high stakes match up with possible playoff implications.