Indiana Fever Fans Receive Disappointing Monique Billings News Before Wings Game

The Indiana Fever open their 2026 WNBA regular season Saturday against the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It's a matchup that will feature four first round picks, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Aliyah Boston.

After an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, health has been the franchise's top priority heading into this season. On that front, the news is largely positive heading into Saturday's home game.

Clark is fully healthy and ready to go, while Boston, Sophie Cunningham and Kelsey Mitchell are all available and expected to play significant roles from the jump. Lexie Hull will suit up on a minutes restriction as she continues to manage hamstring tightness. However, the Fever will be without one piece they were counting on.

Monique Billings injured her right ankle in the first quarter of Indiana's preseason finale against the Nigerian National Team, landing awkwardly on an opponent's foot while battling for a rebound.

By Friday, Billings had returned to practice and was listed as questionable, giving the impression she had a realistic shot at making her Fever debut on Saturday, though head coach Stephanie White did not commit to a timeline (h/t Chloe Peterson of IndyStar).

Hours before tip-off, Indiana made it official, announcing that Billings has been ruled out against Dallas.

Status Update: Monique Billings (ankle) is out today. https://t.co/WFKr6RVTgU

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 9, 2026

It is a blow for a team that signed her specifically to address a need at the four. Billings signed a two-year, $1.6 million deal with the Fever in free agency, and had started all three preseason games for Indiana heading into the opener. The 6-foot-4 veteran brings interior toughness and rebounding.

Myisha Hines-Allen is the logical candidate to slot into the starting lineup in her place, joining Clark, Mitchell, Cunningham and Boston, though White could also opt to go smaller and lean on Hull for additional minutes if the matchup demands it.

Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET on ABC at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Billings' absence adds a wrinkle to Indiana's preparation, but the Fever have enough talent to put on a show.

Related: Former Indiana Fever Player Receives Bad News on Thursday

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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 11:31 AM.