Key Indiana Fever forward says she's 'ready to go' after ankle injury

Monique Billings seems likely to make her Indiana Fever debut in her hometown on Wednesday.

The ninth-year forward, who signed a two-year deal with the Fever this offseason, missed Indiana's season opener Saturday as she was returning from an ankle injury suffered in the preseason finale on May 2. Each day since then, she's been doing more and more in practice.

Now, she said, she's ready to debut. Billings is from Corona, California, a far suburb of Los Angeles, and she went to UCLA from 2014-18.

“I feel healthy, ready to go, and to be out there with my team," Billings told reporters on Tuesday following the Fever's practice in Los Angeles.

Billings will likely slot into the starting lineup alongside Aliyah Boston in the frontcourt. That will put Myisha Hines-Allen, who started the season opener in place of Billings, back to coming off the bench.

The Fever are 0-1 heading into the game after a 107-104 loss to Dallas.

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 for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.