As the dust settles on the 2025 WNBA season, the Indiana Fever find themselves at the heart of the league’s most captivating storylines—on and off the court. While the Las Vegas Aces celebrated another championship after sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the Finals, Fever fans are still buzzing about the grit, controversy, and high-stakes negotiations swirling around their own stars, especially Lexie Hull and Caitlin Clark.
Lexie Hull’s journey this season has been nothing short of remarkable. It all started back on May 3, 2024, when Hull, playing against the Dallas Wings, suffered a nasty collision that left a visible knot swelling on her forehead. Most players might have sat out, but not Hull. Just five minutes later, she drilled a 24-foot three-pointer, pushing the Fever’s lead and forcing a Seattle timeout. That moment perfectly captured her relentless spirit—a trait that’s become her trademark and endeared her to Indiana’s fans.
Hull’s season, however, was defined by more than just one gutsy performance. Throughout the 2025 playoffs, she played through a painful back injury sustained in Game 1, refusing to let it sideline her in Games 2 and 3. Her resilience paid off in Game 3 against the Atlanta Dream, where she secured a game-winning steal that sent Indiana to the semifinals. And in the postseason, Hull notched her first-ever double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Las Vegas Aces, averaging 10.3 points per game across the playoffs and leading the team with a 45% success rate from beyond the arc. Through the semifinals, she bumped that average up to 12.3 points per game, providing a crucial spark as injuries sidelined stars like Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and Chloe Bibby.
Hull’s regular season numbers were equally impressive. She posted a career-high 7.2 points per game and ranked second among WNBA guards with 1.4 offensive rebounds per contest—a huge reason why Indiana led the league in second-chance points. Perhaps even more telling, Hull led the league in drawing offensive fouls with 37, a testament to her willingness to do the dirty work that often goes unnoticed in box scores. As her coach Stephanie White put it, “She’s just hard-nosed. She’s just a tough kid. She plays through pain most people couldn’t.”
Despite all this, Hull’s name was conspicuously absent from the 2025 All-WNBA teams—a snub that set off a wave of disbelief among fans and analysts alike. Adrienne Ross, speaking on The Adrienne Ross Show, voiced what many Fever supporters were thinking: “If you are watching the game, how is she not on at the very least the second team? Caitlin said it absolutely right… even if her shot is not falling, even if her 3s not going… even if that’s not the case, Lexie Hull’s gonna give you defense. She’s gonna give you grit, she’s gonna give you grind… she’s probably the only player in WNBA who would stand in front of Alyssa [Thomas] and take a charge. She’s probably the only one who would do it, hit the floor, who would get up… and give a smile. That’s Lexie Hull.”
Hull’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed by her teammates either. Caitlin Clark, in her exit interview, was effusive in her praise: “Every team in this league should want a Lexie Hull…I’m like, ‘Lex, you just play reckless!’ I was holding my breath those last few games, but that literally just sums up the type of person she is. She’s selfless…she’s gonna lay it all on the line for this team.”
Before Clark’s arrival, Hull was already a steady presence for the Fever, starting 25 of 30 games in 2023 as a reliable two-way player. When Clark joined as the franchise’s new face, Hull’s minutes dipped and she started only 11 games in 2024. But in 2025, she reclaimed her starting spot, becoming the defensive engine for Indiana and even prompting lineup changes that saw DeWanna Bonner benched in favor of Hull’s relentless energy.
Yet, as the 2025 season closes, uncertainty looms over Hull’s future in Indiana. Her three-year contract has expired, making her a restricted free agent. Fans were briefly sent into a frenzy when Hull posted, “Smiling through it all because I LOVE my job!! Thankful for year 4! This group was a special one,” on Instagram—many mistook it for a farewell, though it was actually part of an endorsement. Still, Hull herself admitted, “I’ve loved my years here in Indiana. Obviously, with a lot of uncertainty, you don’t know what’s to come, but I’ve built a life here. I love this franchise. I love the people, the fans, so we’ll see what comes.”
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark’s star continues to rise, not just on the court but in boardrooms and bargaining tables across the league. Despite a 2025 campaign limited to just 13 games due to injury, Clark’s influence is felt everywhere. Her rookie season in 2024 was a game-changer, boosting WNBA viewership by 50% and attendance by nearly half. Her merchandise, from jerseys to Nike Kobe 6 PEs, sold out within minutes. And her off-court presence is just as impactful: Clark’s NIL deal with Nike, signed while she was still breaking records at Iowa, blossomed into an eight-year, $28 million contract in April 2024—the largest shoe deal ever for a female basketball player. The deal includes a signature shoe line launching in 2026, apparel collections, and performance bonuses. She turned down lucrative offers from Under Armour and Adidas, both of which included signature shoes, underscoring her confidence in her brand and Nike’s vision.
Clark’s deal is massive by WNBA standards but still dwarfed by NBA contracts—LeBron James’s Nike lifetime deal is worth over $1 billion, while Kevin Durant’s clocks in at over $300 million. Even so, Clark’s contract outpaces those of fellow WNBA stars like A’ja Wilson ($20-25 million), Sabrina Ionescu ($12-18 million), Breanna Stewart ($12-15 million with Puma), and Angel Reese ($8-12 million with Reebok). The pay gap, shaped by the WNBA’s $200 million annual revenue compared to the NBA’s $10 billion, remains a central issue as the league and its players negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
These negotiations have been contentious, with Clark reportedly the subject of criticism from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert—comments Englebert has since denied. Clark and fellow star Napheesa Collier have become vocal advocates for better pay and leadership, leading the charge for change. As the CBA talks continue, fans and players alike are watching closely to see how the league’s future will be shaped.
Looking ahead, Indiana Fever fans have reason for optimism. Both Clark and Aliyah Boston are under contract for 2026, giving the franchise a solid foundation as nearly every other team faces roster upheaval. Clark, who finished fourth in 2024 MVP voting, is already drawing attention for next season’s MVP race. FanDuel lists her at +310 odds to win the 2026 MVP, second only to Napheesa Collier. With a healthy Clark and a retooled roster, the Fever could be poised for a deep playoff run—if they can keep their core together.
As the WNBA heads into a transformative offseason, Indiana stands at the crossroads of change and opportunity. Whether Lexie Hull returns or embarks on a new chapter, her legacy of hustle and heart won’t soon be forgotten. And with Caitlin Clark leading the charge, both on the court and in the boardroom, the Fever’s future—and the league’s—has never looked more intriguing.
