00:04Following a four-day break, the Fever are set to return to the court on Friday evening, where they will take on the Minnesota Lynx.
00:11This matchup marks the first of two consecutive games between these teams, with the second game scheduled for Sunday in Minnesota.
00:19The Fever and the Lynx are meeting for the first time in the regular season, although they previously competed against each other in the Commissioner's Cup Championship on July 1st,
00:28where the Fever emerged victorious with a score of 74-59 in Minnesota.
00:33Since that championship game, the Fever's roster has changed significantly.
00:38Key players, including point guards Ari McDonald and Sidney Coulson, along with wing Sophie Cunningham,
00:44have all suffered injuries that will keep them out for the remainder of the season.
00:47Notably, all three contributed over 20 minutes of play during the Commissioner's Cup Final.
00:52Despite these setbacks, Indiana retains a solid foundation with All-Stars Kelsey Mitchell and Aaliyah Boston, as well as veteran forward Natasha Howard.
01:01Howard was recognized as the MVP of the Commissioner's Cup after delivering an impressive performance that included 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists in the title game.
01:13However, the team will need to adapt to the absence of their injured players.
01:17The Fever have brought in a new group of players, featuring experienced guards Odyssey Sims and Shea Petty, who were added to the roster through hardship contracts.
01:27Recently, the Lynx's impressive six-game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday night in New York.
01:33Despite this setback, the team has been showcasing strong performances, especially given the absence of MVP contender Nafisa Collier.
01:40Collier, who averages 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game, has been sidelined for the last five games due to an ankle injury, and her status for Thursday night's matchup in Atlanta remains uncertain.
01:57In contrast, the Fever will benefit from a considerable rest advantage, having had four days off while the Lynx are facing the challenge of playing on consecutive nights.
02:06Who do you think will have the biggest impact in this crucial back-to-back series?
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