Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have officially secured a playoff berth, marking a significant moment for the franchise and its young star. After a six-year absence from the postseason, the Fever clinched their spot on Tuesday night, not through their own game, but thanks to pivotal losses elsewhere in the league. The Fever’s return to the playoffs is their first since 2016, ending what had been the longest active playoff drought in WNBA history.
Their six-year playoff drought also tied the league record for the longest, a distinction they shared with the Chicago Sky, who missed the playoffs for their first seven seasons in the WNBA. This milestone highlights a significant turnaround for the Fever, a team that had been struggling to regain its competitive edge.
Although the Fever didn’t take the court on Tuesday, the losses by the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream allowed them to punch their ticket to the playoffs. The Las Vegas Aces dominated the Sky 90-71 in Nevada, fueled by a 30-point performance from reigning MVP A’ja Wilson. Meanwhile, the Dream were handed a 74-66 defeat by the Phoenix Mercury in Arizona. Both the Sky and Dream now hold 11-22 records, and the Fever, currently 17-16, possess the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker over both teams.
The Fever are now the sixth team to secure a spot in the WNBA playoffs, joining an elite group that includes the New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, and the Las Vegas Aces.
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In addition to Indiana, the Phoenix Mercury also clinched a playoff spot following their victory and Chicago’s loss. With these developments, just one playoff spot remains unclaimed, adding extra excitement to the final stretch of the season.
The Fever have been on a tear recently, winning four consecutive games, including a thrilling 100-93 victory over the Dallas Wings on Sunday. That victory marked their sixth win in seven games since the Olympic break, propelling them to a 17-16 record and putting them above .500 for the first time since 2019. This resurgence has been a long time coming for the franchise, which last made the postseason in 2016, finishing that year 17-17 before being eliminated in the first round. That postseason appearance capped a remarkable streak for the Fever, who made the playoffs 12 straight seasons from 2005 to 2016, a stretch that included winning their first and only championship in 2012.
At the center of Indiana’s revival is rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. The former Iowa Hawkeye has taken the league by storm, averaging 18.7 points, a league-leading 8.4 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game in her debut season. Clark’s remarkable playmaking and scoring abilities have elevated the Fever to new heights. Just last week, she had a career-best performance against the Chicago Sky, scoring 31 points and dishing out 12 assists. That feat made her the first player in WNBA history to record a 30-point, 12-assist game. On top of that, Clark broke the WNBA rookie 3-point record, sinking three triples per game—second only to Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale, who averages 3.1.
As the Fever continue their hot streak, they have seven games left in the regular season, starting with a matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night. With their playoff spot secured, the focus now shifts to building momentum for the postseason. For Clark and the Fever, this is only the beginning of what could be an exciting playoff run.
Clark’s stellar rookie campaign and the Fever’s resurgence have re-energized the franchise, signaling that they are ready to compete with the league’s best.
For Indiana, ending their long playoff drought is a significant achievement, but with a young star like Clark leading the charge, they have their eyes set on much more as they head into the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.
