The Indiana Fever’s 2025 WNBA postseason run has been nothing short of remarkable—a Cinderella story that’s captured the imagination of basketball fans across the country. Entering the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, the Fever have defied the odds, toppling the No. 3 Atlanta Dream in a gritty three-game series and then stunning the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on their own floor to take a 1-0 lead in the semifinals. And they’ve done it all without their most high-profile star, Caitlin Clark, who’s been sidelined since mid-July with a season-ending groin injury.
Clark, who played just 13 games in her rookie WNBA campaign before being shelved with a right groin injury on July 15, averaged an impressive 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per contest. Her dazzling playmaking and scoring prowess helped the Fever build momentum early in the season. But after suffering a bone bruise in her left ankle a few weeks after the initial injury, the team made the difficult decision to rule her out for the remainder of the year on September 4. Clark shared the news with fans on social media, writing, “I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season. I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling. I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty.”
General manager Amber Cox emphasized the Fever’s long-term perspective: “We are looking forward to having her back at full strength to start the 2026 season.” With Clark officially off the playoff roster—a move dictated by WNBA rules that prohibit roster changes after the postseason begins—Indiana has had to dig deep, relying on a resilient group of veterans, creative coaching, and a raucous bench culture that’s become the talk of the league.
That bench mob energy was on full display following the Fever’s first-round upset over Atlanta on September 18. After a highlight of the Fever’s jubilant sideline celebration circulated on Instagram, Clark joked in the comments, “Refs couldn’t stop us” and “Elite bench mob.” The league office fined her $200 for the referee jab, a penalty Clark laughed off on X, tweeting, “Got fined $200 for this lol 😂😂😂😂😂 BENCH MOB WILL BE EVEN MORE ROWDY TOMORROW LET’S GOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Her teammate and All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell shed light on Clark’s off-court personality during an appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” saying, “I’m pretty sure somebody took care of it for her. People don’t know this about Caitlin, but she has an unbelievably funny sense of humor. The tweet was the tweet, but you have to know CC to know it’s just nothing but love. Her energy and her effort to support the team is her way of doing it.”
Clark may be confined to a supporting role, but her presence has been felt at every turn. She’s led the Fever’s “Bench Mob” in style—rocking Black Air Force 1s for three straight playoff wins, attending shootarounds, and firing off supportive tweets like “Kelsey unreal” after Mitchell’s Game 1 heroics against Las Vegas. Clark’s off-court leadership, humor, and relentless encouragement have helped keep the team’s spirits high, even as injuries have whittled Indiana’s roster to the bone.
Indeed, the Fever have been forced to navigate the postseason without not only Clark but also Aari McDonald (foot), Sophie Cunningham (knee), Sydney Colson (knee), and Chloe Bibby (knee), all of whom were left off the playoff active roster due to season-ending injuries. Yet, this depleted squad has pulled together, winning three of their last four playoff contests and eight of their last eleven overall.
The defining moment of Indiana’s playoff surge came on September 21, when the Fever stormed into Michelob ULTRA Arena and routed the Las Vegas Aces, 89–73, in Game 1 of the semifinals. Kelsey Mitchell was nothing short of sensational, pouring in a playoff career-high 34 points on 12-of-23 shooting. Odyssey Sims added 17 points, while Natasha Howard contributed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Fever shot a blistering 50 percent from the field, spoiling the pregame celebration for Aces star A’ja Wilson, who had just been crowned the first four-time MVP in WNBA history. Wilson battled to a double-double of her own (16 points, 13 rebounds) but struggled with her shot, going just 6-for-22 from the floor.
Mitchell’s performance drew widespread praise, including from Clark, who tweeted her admiration immediately after the game. The Fever’s ability to execute under pressure, maintain defensive intensity, and share the scoring load has made them a dangerous opponent for any team, even without their marquee rookie.
Looking ahead, Game 2 of the semifinal series is set for Tuesday, September 23, at 9:30 p.m. ET, again at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN, with Pam Ward and LaChina Robinson on the call, and streamed on Fubo and ESPN Unlimited. Las Vegas enters as a 9.5-point favorite, with ESPN’s matchup predictor giving the Aces a 62.5% chance of evening the series. But if the Fever’s recent form is any indication, counting them out would be a mistake.
The statistical matchup is intriguing. The Aces have averaged 83.6 points per game this season and boast a 23-4 record when scoring more than 81.5 points. Their recent play has been sharp, with improved defense (allowing just 76.3 points per game over their last 10 outings) and red-hot three-point shooting (41.9% from deep in that span). The Fever, meanwhile, average 84.9 points per game but have seen that number dip to 81.3 over their last 10 contests. Still, their defense has tightened, giving up just 74.7 points per game in that stretch—an encouraging sign as they look to stifle the Aces’ high-powered attack.
For Indiana, Mitchell remains the focal point, averaging 20.2 points per game this season, with All-Star Aliyah Boston (15 points, 8.2 rebounds) and Natasha Howard (11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds) providing steady support. Odyssey Sims, thrust into a larger role, has answered the call with timely scoring and playmaking. The Aces, led by Wilson and Jackie Young (16.5 points, 5.1 assists), are determined to bounce back, but the Fever’s momentum and belief are palpable.
As the Fever chase their first Finals berth since 2015, the team’s unity and resilience have become their calling card. Clark, sidelined but ever-present, continues to inspire from the bench, her energy fueling a group that refuses to quit. The Fever’s improbable run isn’t over yet, and with their “Bench Mob” leading the charge, all eyes are on Las Vegas for what promises to be another electric night of WNBA playoff basketball.
Whatever the result in Game 2, Indiana’s journey has already rewritten expectations and reminded fans why the postseason is so special. The Fever’s grit, heart, and togetherness—on full display with or without their star rookie—have made them the story of the 2025 WNBA playoffs.
