Fever battle injuries ahead of Friday

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Fever returned to Indianapolis Thursday morning after earning a split in the first two games of the WNBA Finals in Minnesota. Game three is set for Friday at 8 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The big question entering Friday’s game is the health of the Fever’s second leading scorer, Katie Douglas. The former Perry Meridian and Purdue star missed the first two games of the series after injuring her left ankle in the deciding game of the Eastern Conference Finals.

"Day by day, I'm getting better,” Douglas said. “I think it's just been a week since it happened, so I'm definitely feeling good. As far as my status, I think it's still up in the air. There's still a lot of uncertainty at what level I can go at, but I'm definitely getting better and stronger everyday."

Several teammates greeted Douglas with hugs as they arrived at the Fieldhouse Thursday. Douglas did not travel with the team to Minneapolis, so she could receive treatment. She said she’s still shooting to keep her form sharp despite being limited to a walking boot.

Douglas praised the team for playing well without her.

"I was out towards the end of the season for a couple of games,” she said. “I think that gave other players an opportunity to freshen up and to get some confidence. We needed those games without me, so they could get those minutes and get that confidence. They've been doing a tremendous job."

The Fever may also be without backup guard Jeanette Pohlen who hurt her knee in the second quarter of game two and did not return. Fever head coach Lin Dunn said she’s still undergoing tests, but it doesn’t look good. The team is preparing to play without her Friday.

"It's tough, but that's what competition is all about,” Dunn told reporters. “You're going to be thrown some curves. You're going to be thrown some adversity and you figure out a way to deal with it. We've done that as a team all year long."

The team has declared Friday’s game a “Red Out” and is expecting a large crowd. The Pacers Danny Granger, George Hill, Paul George and Frank Vogel bought 4,000 tickets for game three and distributed them this morning at the Fieldhouse.

"We need our fans here,” Tamika Catchings said. “They truly are our sixth man. I know when we're on the court and people are cheering and so involved in the games, it just makes it that much more exciting."

“It's going to be such a great atmosphere in here,” Erin Phillips added. “It was hard playing up there, so we can't wait for them to have to play in front of our fans."