The Indiana Fever’s 88-84 loss to the Washington Mystics left fans wondering why forward Chloe Bibby didn’t hit the floor. Bibby, who recently signed a rest-of-season deal, has been a reliable sharpshooter, connecting on 42% from three-point range. Her absence from the game sparked curiosity across social media, but coach Stephanie White provided some clarity on the decision.
The Fever’s offense struggled to find rhythm for long stretches. A staggering 22-7 run by Washington erased what was a comfortable 13-point lead, while the Fever shot just 7-for-21 from beyond the arc. Turnovers led to 13 points for the Mystics in the second half, highlighting the need for better ball movement. White stressed the importance of not relying solely on star guard Kelsey Mitchell to carry the load.
“It’s almost like we gave the ball to Kelsey and tried to watch her work,” White said. “We have to continue to get movement with and without the basketball. And it was getting stuck.”
White explained that Bibby’s absence wasn’t about her offensive skills but rather defensive strategy. Matchups and switching schemes played a major role in keeping her on the sidelines. With a tight rotation, the Fever needed players who could execute the planned defensive coverage and secure rebounds in key situations.
“It was the match-up defensively more than anything with how we were going to try to play them and in some of our switches,” White said.
Friday night’s game saw the starting five—Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Aliyah Boston, and Natasha Howard—logging heavy minutes. Odyssey Sims led the bench rotation, while Damiris Dantas and Makayla Timpson provided support. The tight rotation reflected a strategy aimed at shoring up defense and maximizing rebounding rather than experimenting with offensive sparks.
With 10 games left in the regular season, every minute counts. White’s decision underscores the delicate balance between offense and defense for the Fever as they fight for playoff positioning. Bibby’s role may see adjustments depending on matchups, giving fans hope that her shooting prowess could still swing critical games.
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What do you think of Chloe Bibby’s benching against the Mystics? Should the Fever prioritize defense over her offensive firepower? Share your thoughts below!
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