Indiana Fever schedule takeaways: Starting the season with long road trips

It’s a longer schedule as well, with games spanning from May 19 to September 10. Last year, the Fever opened their season on May 6 but were done by August 14. It’s essentially two weeks longer, which cut out back-to-backs.

Speaking of back-to-backs, Indiana has zero this season. They had one in 2022 and 2019, but their schedule is kind this year. That’s one of a few key takeaways from the Indiana Fever’s 2023 slate.

Early road tripping

The Fever start their season at home in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where they will host last year’s runner ups in the Connecticut Sun, who are now coached by former Fever coach Stephanie White. But after that game, Indiana will need to get used to traveling.

Five of their following six games are on the road. Then, from June 22 through July 7, the Fever play six out of seven games away from Indianapolis. In total, 16 of the team’s first 24 games are on the road.

Finally, a permanent home

Meanwhile, when the Indiana Fever do play in Indianapolis, they will finally have a permanent home.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Fever play their home games, has been undergoing construction during the last two summers. During the 2021 campaign, Indiana played a few home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse before playing the rest in Indiana Farmers Coliseum, roughly five miles north of downtown Indy. In 2022, the same thing took place, and the Fever played their final four home games at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Butler University’s campus. The Fever have played just 11 games in Gainbridge Fieldhouse since the 2019 campaign ended.

That stadium is where Indiana’s facilities are located. Their coaches offices, their practice court and training venues, and their main locker room are in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It’s convenient and familiar for the red and blue to play there.

Now, after a few years away, they will finally get to for all 20 home games.

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Battling the Champions

The Fever will get three chances to take on the 2022 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces in the coming season. They host the champs on June 4 and will travel to Vegas on June 24 and 26.

In 2022, Indiana took down the 2021 title winning Chicago Sky during the preseason and the regular season, and they played them tough in two losses. The young Fever will look to repeat those strong performances, and pick up more wins, against A’ja Wilson and company in 2023.

Sides returns to Atlanta

New Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides will return to Atlanta and coach against her prior team, the Atlanta Dream, on May 28 and August 6. Sides was a defensive specialist on the Dream’s bench, and the Fever are hoping that translates to Indiana.

The Fever hired Sides to guide the franchise out of the WNBA’s basement and closer to playoff contention, similar to what happened to Atlanta last season under first-year head coach Tanisha Wright.

Under Sides leadership, the Fever will hope that this 40 game season is the one where the team finally looks more competitive. After six straight playoff-less seasons, and five out of six with fewer than ten wins, Indiana will look to start their new era off strong.

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