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Indiana Fever Adjust Strategy by Starting Mercedes Russell Against 6-Foot-11 Han Xu
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- Indiana Fever Adjust Strategy by Starting Mercedes Russell Against 6-Foot-11 Han Xu
The Indiana Fever had a very specific problem to solve Saturday against the New York Liberty.
That problem was 6-foot-11.
New York center Han Xu presents a matchup unlike almost anyone else in the WNBA because of her combination of size and shooting touch. Indiana responded by turning to veteran center Mercedes Russell, creating one of the more eye-catching matchups of the afternoon.
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Fever reporter Tony East noticed the adjustment immediately.
"Mercedes Russell out there for the Fever against Han Xu. Height!" East wrote on X.
The decision made plenty of sense. Russell is listed at 6-foot-6, giving Indiana one of its best options for dealing with a center who can alter shots around the rim while also pulling defenders away from the basket.
Fever Turn To Mercedes Russell Against Han Xu
Han Xu's size is impossible to ignore.
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The Liberty list her at 6-foot-11 and 203 pounds. She entered Saturday averaging 6.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists this season, but her impact goes beyond those modest numbers. Han also became the first player in WNBA history listed at 6-foot-8 or taller to reach 25 career 3-pointers.
That creates a difficult assignment for opposing centers.
Stay too close to the basket, and Han can step outside. Crowd her on the perimeter, and her enormous size becomes a factor closer to the rim.
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Indiana's answer Saturday was Russell.
Russell has only recently become part of the Fever rotation, but she gives coach Stephanie White another true center behind Aliyah Boston. The former Tennessee standout is 6-foot-6 and has played more than 200 WNBA games during her career.
Her role Saturday was clear: provide size against size.
Indiana's Frontcourt Depth Could Matter Down The Stretch
This is exactly the type of situation that makes adding another veteran center valuable.
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Indiana doesn't necessarily need Russell to score 15 points or play 25 minutes every night. Her usefulness can come from specific matchups, especially against teams with unusual frontcourt size.
Han certainly qualifies.
The Chinese center has also shown she can punish teams from outside. In a July 28 game against the Los Angeles Sparks, she scored 13 points and knocked down three 3-pointers.
That versatility means Indiana couldn't simply approach her like a traditional low-post center.
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Russell offered a different look.
The Fever entered Saturday atop the Eastern Conference at 24-13, with New York sitting at 22-15. That made every tactical adjustment a little more meaningful with playoff positioning tightening down the stretch.
Indiana already has star power with Boston, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. But playoff basketball often comes down to whether a team has enough different answers when opponents create difficult matchups.
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Saturday provided one small example.
New York put a 6-foot-11 center on the floor.
Indiana responded by reaching deeper into its frontcourt and sending Russell directly at her.
Sometimes the adjustment really is that simple.
Height meets height.
Related: Slo-Mo Video of Caitlin Clark's 3-Pointer Over 6-Foot-11 Han Xu Is a Must-See
Related: WNBA to Punish Liberty's Han Xu After Lynx Game
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
