Indiana Fever All-Star Guard Kate Rinklerk is set to resume her place in the starting lineup this Wednesday, according to Coach Stephanie White. White shared with the press on Tuesday that Rinklerk has shown “no regression” and could play in their upcoming game against the Golden State Valkyries. Recently, Rinklerk observed Indiana secure a 74-59 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on July 1st, clinching the Commissioners Cup Championship, and expressed pride in her teammates during Tuesday’s practice.
“They went in believing they could win, prepared to win, and that’s exactly what happened,” Rinklerk said. Forward Natasha Howard led the team with 16 points and 12 rebounds, bolstered by a strong defense featuring seven steals and four blocks. Rinklerk highlighted the defensive challenge, noting, “It’s a really tough place to play,” speaking about the Lynx’s home arena in Minneapolis, where they remain undefeated this season.
She acknowledged the Lynx’s strong home-court presence, stating, “They have always dominated their home court.” The Lynx are known for controlling game tempo and energizing their fans, but the Fever managed to limit key players Alana Smith and Nafisa Collier to 15 and 12 points respectively in the Commissioners Cup final. Fever Forward Ariya Boston contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Sophie Cunningham added 13 points off the bench.
Rinklerk concluded with pride in her team’s effort given the high stakes. Both Rinklerk and the Fever are gearing up for Wednesday’s noon ET game against the Valkyries.
Fan Take: This update signals a strong return for Kate Rinklerk and showcases the Indiana Fever’s resilience and defensive prowess—qualities that WNBA fans love to see. Their recent success in high-pressure games is a hopeful sign for the growth and competitiveness of the league as it gains more attention and momentum.
