LOS ANGELES — Monique Billings’ Indiana Fever debut came just slightly delayed. But it was just in time for her hometown visit.
Billings, who is from a Los Angeles suburb of Corona, California, made her Fever debut in front of 18 of her friends and family Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena in the Fever’s 87-78 win over the Los Angeles Sparks.
No pressure, though.
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“I try to play every game without putting too much (pressure) on it,” Billings said. “Lot of gratitude, I would say, but I’m just present in the moment.”
Billings started the game, taking over for Myisha Hines-Allen, but she was still on a minutes restriction. She ended up playing 27 minutes, scoring nine points on 2-of-4 shooting with eight rebounds. Her size and athleticism, especially paired with Fever center Aliyah Boston, could make for a formidable frontcourt as the two continue to gel together.
“It’s huge for us,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “Having her size, her physicality, her ability to defend, she’s an elite communicator on the defensive end of the floor. So, she’s going to be big. I’m happy that’s she’s coming back, and this is home for her.”
Billings ended up missing less than two weeks after falling on an opponent’s foot in the Fever’s preseason finale against Nigeria on May 2. She spent that time deliberately working back, doing a little bit more each day, while making sure to be the veteran voice the Fever needed.
“Just knowing that I got to stay dialed in, taking it all day by day, I made sure I attacked rehab,” Billings said. “I was still staying mentally locked into players and games and things like that.”
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Monique Billings proves she’s ‘going to be big’ for Indiana Fever in debut in hometown
Reporting by Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
