The Indiana Fever’s long-awaited return to the WNBA playoffs has arrived, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Led by the dynamic trio of Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever have defied the odds to break their eight-year postseason drought. After last qualifying for the WNBA Playoffs in 2016, Indiana Fever is back in the limelight, with Clark being a key factor in their resurgence.
The Wild Ride: From 1-8 to Playoff Contenders
It hasn’t been an easy journey for the Fever. At the start of the 2024 season, they were floundering with a miserable 1-8 record. By this point, fans had probably started digging out their “maybe next year” slogans from storage. But, as the Fever showed, you can never count them out—especially when Caitlin Clark is involved.
Indiana has since turned their season around in spectacular fashion, winning 18 out of their next 28 games and finally securing a spot in the playoffs. With a current record of 19-18, the Fever sit sixth in the WNBA standings as of September 12, 2024. Now, they stand a chance to move up even higher with a few favorable outcomes before the regular season concludes.
Fever’s Standings: How the Indiana Fever Stack Up
Currently, the Fever hold the sixth seed in the WNBA standings, but things could shift rapidly with only a few games left. Let’s take a look at where the team stands and what’s next for them:
| Rank | Team | W-L | Win Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Liberty | 30-6 | .833 | — |
| 2 | Minnesota Lynx | 27-9 | .750 | 3 |
| 3 | Connecticut Sun | 26-10 | .722 | 4 |
| 4 | Las Vegas Aces | 23-13 | .639 | 7 |
| 5 | Seattle Storm | 22-14 | .611 | 8 |
| 6 | Indiana Fever | 19-18 | .514 | 11.5 |
| 7 | Phoenix Mercury | 17-19 | .472 | 13 |
| 8 | Chicago Sky | 13-23 | .361 | 17 |
| – | Atlanta Dream | 12-24 | .333 | 18 |
| – | Washington Mystics | 12-24 | .333 | 18 |
| – | Dallas Wings | 9-26 | .265 | 20 |
| – | Los Angeles Sparks | 7-28 | .200 | 22 |
As of now, the Fever are clinching onto the sixth seed, with hopes to leapfrog into the fifth. Indiana will need to finish one game ahead of the Seattle Storm, who currently hold a 22-14 record and the fifth seed. Based on WNBA tiebreaker rules, the Fever must outperform the Storm by a full game due to their 1-3 head-to-head record this season.
If the WNBA Season Ended Today…
If the season ended today, the Fever would face the third-seeded Connecticut Sun in a best-of-three playoff series. To say that this matchup would be a challenge might be an understatement—the Fever are 1-3 against the Sun this season. But with Caitlin Clark on the court, anything is possible, and Indiana could certainly pull off an upset.
Let’s not forget about the potential for a showdown against the Minnesota Lynx. Though Indiana went 1-2 against Minnesota during the regular season, their win against the Lynx showcased their potential to hang with the best teams in the league.
Indiana Fever’s Remaining Schedule: Home Court Advantage?
The Fever’s road to the playoffs looks promising as they close out the regular season. Four of their final five games will be played at home, giving them a slight edge to climb in the standings.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Sept. 13 | vs. Aces | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Sunday, Sept. 15 | vs. Wings | 3:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Thursday, Sept. 19 | at Mystics | 7:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
They will face the reigning WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, twice in the final stretch—talk about ending on a high note. In addition to the Aces, Indiana will take on the struggling Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics, who are already out of playoff contention. While these matchups should be relatively easy wins, the Fever know better than to underestimate anyone.
Caitlin Clark’s Impact on the Fever
Caitlin Clark’s rookie season with the Indiana Fever has been nothing short of spectacular. Even though she may be “turnover-prone” (cue the haters), her ability to impact the game goes far beyond the stat sheet. From deep-range shooting reminiscent of Steph Curry to her clutch performances in crunch time, Clark has quickly become the heartbeat of this Fever team. You could say she’s the spice in Indiana’s otherwise “mild” past seasons.
Clark’s impact isn’t just about points; she brings a swagger that elevates her teammates. Look at Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell—they’ve thrived alongside Clark, and together, they form one of the most exciting trios in the WNBA today.
Indiana Fever’s Playoff Scenarios
The Fever officially clinched their playoff berth on September 3, meaning Indiana will be making its first postseason appearance since 2016. What’s next? Here’s what the Fever’s playoff outlook looks like:
- Most Likely Playoff Opponents: Connecticut Sun or Minnesota Lynx.
- Head-to-Head Matchups:
- Fever vs. Sun (1-3)
- Fever vs. Lynx (1-2)
Given their history against these teams, the Fever face an uphill battle. But hey, this team started the season 1-8, and look where they are now! There’s no reason to believe they can’t pull off a few more upsets come playoff time.
Indiana Fever’s Playoff History: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
It’s been a while since Indiana fans have tasted playoff success, but this franchise has a rich history in the postseason. Here’s a look back at their playoff track record:
| Year | Record | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | TBD | TBD |
| 2016 | 17-17 | Lost First Round |
| 2015 | 20-14 | Lost Finals |
| 2014 | 16-18 | Lost East Finals |
| 2013 | 16-18 | Lost East Finals |
| 2012 | 22-12 | Won Finals |
| 2011 | 21-13 | Lost East Finals |
| 2010 | 21-13 | Lost East Finals |
| 2009 | 22-12 | Lost Finals |
| 2008 | 17-17 | Lost East Semifinals |
| 2007 | 21-13 | Lost East Finals |
| 2006 | 21-13 | Lost East Semifinals |
| 2005 | 21-13 | Lost East Finals |
| 2002 | 16-16 | Lost East Semifinals |
Indiana’s crowning achievement came in 2012 when they won their first (and only) WNBA championship. Led by WNBA legend Tamika Catchings, the Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx 3-1 in the Finals. Catchings was named Finals MVP, further solidifying her status as one of the all-time greats.
Can Indiana Fever Go All the Way?
With Caitlin Clark at the helm, anything seems possible for the Indiana Fever. Sure, their path to the WNBA Finals is filled with tough opponents, but Clark has already proven she thrives under pressure. Pair her brilliance with the leadership of Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, and this Indiana team might just have a shot at pulling off another miracle.
The Fever’s playoff journey begins on September 22. Whether they’re able to continue their Cinderella story remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the Indiana Fever are back, and they’re ready to make some noise.