The Indiana Fever have become the talk of the WNBA playoffs in 2025, making a remarkable run deeper than they've managed in a decade—and they’re doing it without their brightest star, Caitlin Clark. With a string of upsets and a gritty resilience, the Fever now find themselves in the semifinals, leading the Las Vegas Aces 1-0 after a dazzling performance by Kelsey Mitchell. But how, in the face of so many injuries and setbacks, is this team still standing tall?
At the season’s outset, expectations for Indiana soared. The franchise had just wrapped a successful offseason, bringing in new head coach Stephanie White and bolstering the roster with experienced players like DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Cloud, and Sophie Cunningham. The Fever’s front office was lauded for its aggressive moves, and fans dared to dream of a championship run. Yet, the season quickly took a sharp turn as injuries began to pile up. Star guard Caitlin Clark, the face of the franchise and a fan favorite, managed only 13 games before a right groin strain sidelined her on July 15. The team kept hope alive for her return, but by September 4, Clark was officially ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Clark’s absence left a gaping hole in the Fever’s lineup—comparable to "taking the engine out of a car and trying to drive it anyway," as one report put it. And if that wasn’t enough, the injury list continued to grow. Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, and Chloe Bibby all suffered season-ending injuries, while Damiris Dantas missed the entire first round of the playoffs with a concussion. The situation was dire. Yet, somehow, the Fever refused to fold.
What’s their secret? Depth, and lots of it. Indiana’s front office responded to the injury crisis by signing seasoned guards Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy, drafting forward Makayla Timpson, and bringing in veteran Brianna Turner. These reinforcements, once further down the depth chart, quickly became crucial contributors. Sims and Peddy, with their extensive WNBA experience, slotted seamlessly into the Fever’s system. Timpson and Turner, though less heralded, played critical minutes as the season wore on. Alongside stalwarts like Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Natasha Howard, and center Aliyah Boston, this patchwork roster became a force to be reckoned with.
The results speak for themselves. The Fever shocked the No. 3 seed Atlanta Dream in a 2-1 first-round upset, then stole a game from the second-seeded Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. Their current playoff record without Clark stands at 3-1 entering Game 2 against the Aces, and they’re 19-16 overall without her this season. That’s a testament to the team’s adaptability and unbreakable spirit.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the steady hand of head coach Stephanie White. White, who boasts 30 games of WNBA playoff experience and has led teams on deep postseason runs three times, has orchestrated a masterclass in coaching under pressure. Her ability to craft game plans and make timely in-game adjustments has been pivotal. One moment stands out: in Game 3 against Atlanta, with the Fever’s season hanging by a thread, White deployed Shey Peddy in the final minutes. Peddy promptly drained a crucial three-pointer and forced a momentum-shifting deflection, sealing the series for Indiana. It’s the kind of decision that often goes unnoticed but can change the course of a season.
"She’s true to this," one article noted of White’s playoff savvy. Her deep trust in her players and relentless preparation have kept the Fever operating at a high level, even as the roster has been decimated by injuries. White’s leadership has fostered a belief within the locker room that anything is possible, no matter how long the odds.
Meanwhile, the players who remain healthy have stepped up in a big way. Kelsey Mitchell’s 34-point explosion in the semifinal opener against the Aces was a sight to behold, giving Indiana a 1-0 series lead and putting the defending champions on notice. Mitchell, Hull, and Howard have all taken on expanded roles, while Boston continues to anchor the paint on both ends of the floor.
On the sidelines, Clark and Cunningham have embraced new roles as extra coaches and cheerleaders. Clark, whose presence alone energizes the team, has been a constant source of support and insight for her teammates. Cunningham, a seven-year WNBA veteran traded to Indiana ahead of the season, has also been sidelined by an MCL injury. Before going down, Cunningham averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and one steal per game—solid numbers that reflect her all-around impact.
In a recent podcast appearance, Cunningham shared her thoughts on the toughest arenas in the league. "I would say…New York is always a fun one," she remarked, adding that while Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center are electric, they’re not necessarily daunting. Phoenix, her former home, boasts a passionate fanbase and a capacity crowd, but for Cunningham, nothing compares to Minnesota’s Target Center. "I hate playing up in Minnesota," she admitted, highlighting the Lynx’s rabid supporters and the arena’s intimidating atmosphere.
That’s a detail worth noting, because if the Fever manage to get past the Aces, they could face the Minnesota Lynx—who finished the regular season at 34-10—in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals. The Lynx are currently battling the Phoenix Mercury in the other semifinal. A Fever-Lynx finals matchup would be a true test of Indiana’s mettle, especially with so many key contributors watching from the bench.
Despite all the adversity, the Fever have become the feel-good story of the 2025 WNBA playoffs. They’re playing inspired, energetic basketball, fueled by a belief in one another and in their coach. Few expected them to make it this far, given the rash of injuries and the roller-coaster nature of their season. Yet here they are, two wins away from a shot at the league’s biggest prize.
For now, the action is still unfolding. The Fever’s playoff run has already defied the odds, and with the semifinals ongoing, Indiana’s fans can dare to dream a little longer. One thing’s for sure: this team, battered but unbowed, isn’t done fighting yet.
