Fever won't rush Catchings

Tamika Catchings’ fragile left foot is not only supporting WNBA playoff hopes of the Indiana Fever. Upon that foot might also ride participation by Team USA at the 2008 Olympics.

The Fever (20-12) secured the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a win Friday night against Connecticut.

With the 34-game schedule almost complete, the Fever and Sun inevitably will meet in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

But no one in the organization wants to rush the former University of Tennessee star into action — even if that means she misses the playoffs.

“We’re certainly not going to do anything to jeopardize the long-term future of her health,” Fever coach Brian Winters told The Indianapolis Star.

USA Basketball will want Catchings to play for the national team at the Americas Championships in Chile from Sept. 23-27. The winner qualifies for Beijing. Second through fourth place must go through an Olympic qualifying tournament in June 2008.

After that tournament, Catchings said, the national team is to train in Russia and play exhibitions against college teams.

Catchings wore an orthotic and carbon fiber plate in her shoe last Monday for the first time. Otherwise, she wears a protective boot and maintains fitness through workouts in a swimming pool.

She has not practiced with the team since tearing her plantar fascia July 20.

Fever trainer Holly Heitzman said she is cautiously optimistic Catchings can return for the playoffs but didn’t specify a timetable.

“With something like this, you can’t get right back into it,” Catchings said. “The tear is still there. It’s just smaller.”

Catchings conceded her minutes might be limited even if she does return for the playoffs.

The Fever have gone 4-8 after a 16-4 start that had them atop the league. In Catchings’ absence, they have employed a three-guard lineup of Tan White, Tully Bevilaqua and Anna DeForge.