WNBA teams that could make playoffs with a push
In a way-too-early playoff discussion, the Studio IX crew breaks down which teams need to push right now in the season to make it to the playoffs.
Sports Seriously
The Indiana Fever are adding to their depth in the post.
Mercedes Russell, who was part of two WNBA championship teams with the Seattle Storm, signed with the Fever on Monday on a deal that runs through the end of the 2026 season. Indiana was granted a season-ending injury exception after center Damiris Dantas had surgery to repair her meniscus.
Russell will wear No. 5 with the Fever.
A 6-foot-6 center from the University of Tennessee, Russell has not played in the WNBA this season. She played in 20 games last year with the Los Angeles Sparks, averaging 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game. In 2024, she starred in Australia, leading the Southside Flyers to the WNBL championship by earning MVP honors after posting 14.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in the finals.
The Gatorade National Player of the Year as a high school prospect in Oregon and an All-SEC First Team selection while she played for the Lady Vols, Russell was drafted 22nd overall by the New York Liberty in 2018. She was waived midway through her rookie year and joined the Storm, appearing in 22 games as the club went on to win the championship.
Russell remained with Seattle through the 2024 season, starting 79 of the 187 games she appeared in and helping them win a second championship in 2020. For her WNBA career, she averages 4.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. She has five career double-doubles.
The Fever (20-12) have won six of their last eight games but have searched all season to find depth in the frontcourt behind All-Star forward Aliyah Boston and veteran Monique Billings. Indiana ranks seventh in total rebounds per game and 10th in block rate.
Indiana also recently signed forward Michelle Onyiah from the Upshot League to a developmental contract, but she has yet to appear in a game.