Fever’s Playoff Hopes Hang as Clark’s Return Remains Uncertain
At the start of this WNBA season, the Indiana Fever were talked about as one of the top contenders for the championship. They had momentum, talent, and a fanbase buzzing with excitement. But fast forward to now, and the story has shifted. Instead of chasing a title, the Fever are just trying to hold on to a playoff spot.
Caitlin Clark’s arrival in 2024 completely changed the trajectory of this franchise. She drew record attendance, skyrocketed TV ratings, and helped bring the Fever back to the postseason for the first time in eight years. Naturally, expectations were even higher this season. But when Clark went down with a quad injury in the preseason, it became clear that the road forward would be more difficult than expected. That challenge only grew as more injuries piled up.
Clark has now missed 15 straight games — 25 total this season — with groin and ankle issues, and her return date is still uncertain. Reports say she was back on the court in warmups recently, which is encouraging, but Indiana has had to survive without her for a long stretch. The team sits in eighth place in the standings, barely ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks, with less than 10 games left.
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Early on, the Fever handled her absence surprisingly well. Aari McDonald stepped in at point guard, bringing defensive grit and attacking speed, and Indiana even managed to win the Commissioner’s Cup against Minnesota. But then disaster struck. McDonald and Sydney Colson both suffered season-ending injuries in the same game, leaving the Fever without a true floor general. Soon after, Sophie Cunningham went down as well, taking away one of Indiana’s best shooters.
Coach Stephanie White put it bluntly: “We’ve been dealt a crappy hand, but we gotta play it.”
Despite the setbacks, stars like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell have kept the team afloat. Boston continues to dominate in the paint, while Mitchell has put up MVP-level scoring nights. Natasha Howard’s defense has been critical, and Lexie Hull has stepped up as a starter, especially from beyond the arc. But the challenge has been consistency — when Boston or Mitchell start slow, Indiana struggles to climb back.
To stay competitive, the Fever have shuffled their roster nonstop, suiting up a franchise-record 17 different players this year. Veterans like Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy have been added, and Aerial Powers recently joined to provide depth on the wing. The constant changes have forced Indiana to play with a new identity, leaning more on Boston to initiate offense and adjusting spacing without shooters like Cunningham or Clark.
The playoff picture is razor thin. Indiana likely needs at least three more wins to secure a spot, with key matchups looming against Seattle, Los Angeles, and Golden State. A playoff berth is still possible, but it’s a far cry from the championship dreams this team started with.
At this point, everything hinges on whether Caitlin Clark can make it back before the season ends. Without her, Indiana might sneak into the playoffs, but their run would probably be short-lived. With her, though, there’s still hope that the Fever can turn survival mode into something more. For now, the team is holding on, fighting through adversity, and waiting for their star to return.
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