The Indiana Fever gave rookie guard Raven Johnson an expanded role on May 20, 2026, during a 90-73 victory over the Portland Fire at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Superstar Caitlin Clark, who missed the game due to back discomfort, clarified that their past collegiate rivalry has turned into a supportive locker room relationship.
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Johnson, the tenth overall pick out of South Carolina, played a career-high 22 minutes and scored a career-high nine points with three rebounds.
She has averaged 2.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 12.2 minutes per game off the bench across her first five appearances.
Defensive Focus for the Rookie
The 5-foot-8 point guard's defensive capabilities have become a focal point for the Fever, who average 94.4 points but allow 88 points per game.
Analysts say her perimeter defense and court vision will be key to Indiana's postseason success.
"Indiana desperately needs Raven as a defender, that's going to be the difference between Indiana going somewhere in the playoffs and not," said Michael Voepel, ESPN women's basketball writer.
He noted that the defensive end is where Johnson can securely earn her playing time.
Meghan L.
Hall, USA TODAY Sports senior WNBA reporter, added: "My head is, how can Raven impact in terms of facilitating, dishing it out to her teammates, clearing the floor, making sure people are in their right places and, she's an absolute menace on the defensive end."
During the victory against Portland, Johnson took 12 shots, including eight from three-point range, after averaging just one shot per game in her prior four outings.
