A Season of Resilience and Uncertainty
The Indiana Fever’s 2025 season was a testament to resilience, even though they fell just short of reaching the WNBA Finals. Despite facing a series of setbacks, including injuries that limited their star player Caitlin Clark to only 13 games, the team managed to achieve several milestones. Their journey was marked by perseverance, with key players like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell leading the charge.
Clark’s season was plagued by injuries, which not only affected her performance but also impacted the team’s overall strategy. She averaged 16.5 points on 36.7% shooting from the field and 27.9% from beyond the arc. Her struggles were particularly evident in away games, where she shot just 5.7% from three-point range. This inconsistency highlighted the challenges the team faced in maintaining a consistent level of play.
In addition to Clark’s injury, four other Fever players suffered season-ending injuries, adding to the team’s difficulties. However, the Fever managed to secure the Commissioner’s Cup title and finished with 24 regular-season wins, placing them sixth in the league. Their playoff run was equally impressive, as they upset the No. 3 Atlanta Dream and pushed the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces to the brink of elimination in the semifinals.
As the focus shifts to the future, the Fever will need to address several key areas to build on this season’s success. The primary concern is getting Clark back to full health, as her return could significantly impact the team’s performance. With her last appearance in 2025 coming on July 15, she may go 10 months without playing, which could affect her readiness for the next season.
The Fever also plans to bring back Sophie Cunningham and Aari McDonald, who proved to be valuable additions during the season. Cunningham and McDonald provided much-needed depth and support, especially during a time when the team was dealing with multiple injuries.
Kelsey Mitchell, who is set to become a free agent in 2026, is expected to command a significant salary. Given her long-standing commitment to the team, it is likely that she will remain with the Fever. Similarly, Lexie Hull, who has developed into a key role player, is expected to stay with the team as a restricted free agent.
Key Free Agents and Roster Considerations
Most members of the Fever’s roster are primed to enter free agency in 2026. Mitchell leads the group of eight unrestricted free agents, while Hull is the lone restricted free agent. The team also has exclusive rights to re-sign Chloe Bibby and Bree Hall, who joined the team on injury hardship contracts.
Collective bargaining negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBA Players’ Association are expected to play a crucial role in determining contract values and roster sizes. These negotiations will directly impact the Fever’s ability to retain its talent and build a competitive roster.
Here are the unrestricted free agents on the Fever’s roster:
- Kelsey Mitchell
- Natasha Howard
- Damiris Dantas
- Sophie Cunningham
- Sydney Colson
- Brianna Turner
- Aari McDonald
- Odyssey Sims
And the restricted free agent:
- Lexie Hull
Additionally, the team has exclusive rights to re-sign:
- Chloe Bibby
- Bree Hall
Draft Picks and Roster Overview
The Fever will select 10th in the 2026 WNBA Draft, which places them behind the five lottery teams, the league’s two expansion teams, and the teams seeded seventh and eighth in the 2025 playoff standings. Here are the Fever’s draft picks:
1st round: 10th overall
2nd round: 25th overall
3rd round: 40th overall
The three Fever players still under rookie contracts are locked in through the 2026 season and beyond. This group includes two former No. 1 overall picks, Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, along with Makayla Timpson.
| Player | Position | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Aliyah Boston | F | 24 |
| Caitlin Clark | G | 24 |
| Makayla Timpson | F | 23 |
