The Indiana Fever’s eight-year playoff drought is over, and who better to help lead the charge than rookie sensation Caitlin Clark? Alongside Aliyah Boston and veteran Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever is charging into the WNBA postseason for the first time since 2016. With a thrilling season full of ups and downs, this team has captured the attention of fans everywhere. Let’s take a deep dive into the Fever’s current playoff picture, their journey to this point, and the possible scenarios that could play out as we approach the WNBA postseason.
The Fever’s Path: From 1-8 to Playoff Bound
It has been a roller-coaster season for the Fever, to say the least. After an abysmal 1-8 start, things were looking bleak for the franchise. But in classic underdog fashion, the Fever turned things around dramatically, winning 18 of their next 29 games. A feat that only one other team, the now-defunct Charlotte Sting, has managed to pull off after starting the season 1-8 or worse.
Led by Caitlin Clark’s sensational rookie season, the Fever now sit at 20-19, placing them as the sixth seed in the WNBA standings. But, like any good sports story, the Fever’s journey is far from over. They still have a chance to improve their playoff seeding—but only if they get a little help from their friends (and enemies).
WNBA Standings (Through Sunday, Sept. 15)
| Rank | Team | W-L | Win Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | x – New York Liberty | 31-7 | .838 | — |
| 2. | x – Minnesota Lynx | 29-9 | .757 | 3 |
| 3. | x – Connecticut Sun | 27-11 | .730 | 4 |
| 4. | x – Las Vegas Aces | 25-13 | .649 | 7 |
| 5. | x – Seattle Storm | 24-14 | .622 | 8 |
| 6. | x – Indiana Fever | 20-19 | .500 | 12.5 |
| 7. | x – Phoenix Mercury | 18-20 | .459 | 14 |
| 8. | Washington Mystics | 13-25 | .351 | 18 |
| — | Chicago Sky | 13-25 | .351 | 18 |
| — | Atlanta Dream | 13-25 | .324 | 19 |
| — | Dallas Wings | 9-30 | .231 | 22.5 |
| — | Los Angeles Sparks | 7-31 | .184 | 24 |
X: Clinched playoffs
Eliminated from playoff contention: Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Sparks
Caitlin Clark’s Playoff Scenario
Caitlin Clark’s impact on the Fever’s resurgence is nothing short of remarkable. With her scoring ability, floor vision, and fearless attitude, she’s quickly becoming the face of the franchise. But what’s next for the Fever and Clark as they head into the playoffs?
The Fever currently sit as the sixth seed in the WNBA, with a slim shot at moving up to the fifth spot. However, that would require the Seattle Storm to lose, and Indiana would need to finish at least one game ahead due to the tiebreaker rules (the Fever lost the season series 1-3 against the Storm).
The Phoenix Mercury, on the other hand, don’t pose as much of a threat, as Indiana swept the season series 3-0 against them. This means the Fever would hold any tiebreaker advantage over Phoenix.
The most likely first-round scenario? The Fever will face the Connecticut Sun, who hold the third seed. Let’s just say this won’t be a walk in the park, considering the Fever are 1-3 against Connecticut this season. But hey, as they say, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” And Caitlin Clark is known for her clutch gene.
WNBA Playoff Tiebreakers
The WNBA has a set of tiebreakers in place to decide playoff seeding. Here’s a breakdown of how those work, just in case you’re keeping track at home and want to play armchair general manager:
- Head-to-head record: The team with the better head-to-head record gets the higher seed.
- Conference record: If head-to-head is tied, the team with the better winning percentage within their conference advances.
- Winning percentage against .500 or better teams: This is where it gets tricky. Teams with a higher winning percentage against teams with a .500 record or better get the edge.
- Point differential: If things are still tied after all that, the team with the better point differential in head-to-head games moves up.
- Coin toss: If all else fails, flip a coin. No, seriously. A coin toss could decide a team’s playoff fate. Imagine losing your spot in the playoffs because of heads or tails… Ouch.
And if there’s a three-way tie? Things get even spicier. The tiebreaker system remains the same but gets adjusted for multi-team matchups.
Indiana Fever’s Remaining Schedule
The Fever have just one more game left on their schedule, and it’s a big one. They’ll take on the Washington Mystics, who are currently fighting for their playoff lives. A win for Indiana could not only knock Washington out of the postseason but also give them momentum heading into their first playoff appearance in eight years. No pressure, right?
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Sept. 19 | at Mystics | 7 p.m. | Prime Video |
Caitlin Clark’s Rookie Season: Second Best Ever?
The numbers don’t lie: Caitlin Clark is having the second-best rookie season in WNBA history. Only Candace Parker’s rookie year in 2008 was statistically superior, but even then, there’s a case to be made that Clark is putting up equally impressive numbers in a different era of the game. Her ability to score from anywhere on the court, coupled with her knack for creating plays for teammates, makes her a legitimate star and a matchup nightmare for any opponent. Sure, she may be turnover-prone, but as many coaches say, that’s the price you pay for greatness.
Fever’s WNBA Playoff History
While the Fever are returning to the postseason for the first time since 2016, the franchise has a storied history in the WNBA playoffs, including 12 consecutive playoff appearances from 2005 to 2016. Led by legendary players like Tamika Catchings, Indiana even secured a championship in 2012.
| 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 |
In 2012, Indiana won its only WNBA title, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 3-1 in the Finals. And while they’ve made it to the championship series two more times since then (2009 and 2015), they’ve come up just short.
Caitlin Clark and the Fever’s Playoff Hopes
The Fever are back, and Caitlin Clark is ready to put her stamp on the WNBA postseason. While they face a tough road ahead, the combination of Clark’s brilliance, Boston’s inside presence, and Mitchell’s leadership gives Indiana a real shot at making some noise in the playoffs. And let’s be honest, wouldn’t it be poetic for Clark to cap off her rookie season with a deep playoff run?