The Indiana Fever’s 2025 WNBA season has officially come to a close after a hard-fought playoff run ended at the hands of the Las Vegas Aces. The Fever, a franchise on the rise, now faces a pivotal offseason marked by uncertainty, recovery, and the tantalizing promise of what’s to come in 2026. With star guard Caitlin Clark and veteran Sophie Cunningham both sidelined by injuries, the Fever’s journey this year was anything but straightforward. Yet, the adversity they faced may well set the stage for a dramatic resurgence next season.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Fever’s season unraveled, the impact of key injuries, and what lies ahead for two of the team’s most prominent players.
It all started with high hopes and even higher expectations. Caitlin Clark, the 2024 Rookie of the Year and one of the most electrifying young talents in the game, was expected to lead Indiana deep into the postseason. But fate had other plans. Clark aggravated a groin injury during a July 15 matchup against the Connecticut Sun, an incident that would ultimately derail her sophomore campaign. She managed only 13 appearances all season—an unexpected setback for a player accustomed to the spotlight and relentless competition.
Clark’s absence was felt on every possession. Her dynamic playmaking and scoring ability had transformed the Fever’s offense during her rookie year, but with her sidelined, Indiana had to dig deep. The team, to its credit, rallied and still managed to reach the second round of the playoffs, a testament to both its depth and resilience. "Caitlin’s going to be fine. She’s doing great, and like most competitors, she’s trying to be out there and do what she can do. Every single day she’s working out and plans to be fully returned," said Fever president Kelly Krauskopf in a recent interview with The Fan Morning Show. Krauskopf’s confidence in Clark’s future is echoed by the entire organization, which now turns its attention to ensuring she’s healthy and ready for a big 2026.
Clark’s offseason is shaping up to be just as intriguing as her on-court exploits. The Fever’s young star has several options on the table: intense rest and rehabilitation, suiting up for Team USA, or possibly joining the domestic 3×3 league Unrivaled. Last year, Unrivaled offered Clark a contract worth more than $1 million—more than three times her WNBA salary—and equity in the league. However, after a grueling calendar year that included her senior season at Iowa and a full WNBA rookie campaign, Clark opted for rest instead. As Unrivaled’s president Alex Bazzell told The Athletic, "There’s no current dialogue taking place right now. Everyone knows that we want the best players. Everyone knows that if they’re interested, we always have spots."
With the WNBA season lasting roughly six months, how Clark chooses to spend her offseason could have a ripple effect on her performance and durability for years to come. Indiana’s former general manager Lin Dunn previously expressed a desire for Clark to get more five-on-five experience during the offseason, but given her limited action this year due to injury, the Fever front office is likely to prioritize her health above all else.
Another compelling option for Clark is a stint with Team USA. The Americans have already punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup after winning the 2025 AmeriCup, but a qualifying tournament in March offers a perfect opportunity for Clark to rejoin competitive action in a lower-stakes environment. Clark has made it clear that playing in the Olympics is a dream, and participating in a senior training camp is a necessary step toward that goal. She was invited to Team USA’s training camp in 2024 but had to decline due to her collegiate commitments with the Hawkeyes. Now, with Kara Lawson at the helm as head coach, Clark could be poised to take that next leap. Making the World Cup roster would not only boost her international resume but also set her on a path toward the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles—a tantalizing prospect for any athlete.
But Clark isn’t the only Fever player facing a crossroads. Sophie Cunningham, the tough-as-nails guard who joined Indiana after six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, saw her own 2025 campaign cut short. In August, Cunningham tore the MCL in her right knee during a game against the Connecticut Sun—the same opponent that derailed Clark’s season weeks earlier. The 28-year-old underwent surgery a week after the injury and began her rehab process in September. Despite the setback, Cunningham is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of the 2026 WNBA season in May.
Cunningham’s future with the Fever, however, is uncertain. She signed a one-year, $100,000 deal for the 2025 season and will enter unrestricted free agency in 2026. In her first year with Indiana, Cunningham started 13 games and averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists—a solid contribution from a player known for her grit and leadership. Over her seven-year career, she’s amassed $672,780 in earnings, according to Spotrac, and her veteran presence has been invaluable in a locker room packed with young talent.
The Fever’s elimination from the postseason at the hands of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces was a tough pill to swallow, but there’s no denying the progress made by the franchise. Despite an array of injuries to key players, Indiana advanced to the semifinals—a significant step forward after several rebuilding years. Now, the spotlight turns to the front office as they navigate free agency, player development, and the all-important task of keeping their stars healthy.
Coach Stephanie White has been vocal about the physical toll the modern WNBA game takes on its brightest stars, particularly those like Clark who have the ball in their hands for much of the game. After Clark’s groin injury, White commented, "Someone who has the ball in her hands as much as Caitlin, the physicality that she’s experiencing for 40 minutes, it causes you to load differently, it causes you to explode differently, it causes you to accelerate and decelerate differently. It’s not the free-flowing movement that we want to see." White’s observations underscore the need for careful planning and player management as the Fever look to maximize their roster’s potential.
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Indiana’s medical and coaching staff to ensure that both Clark and Cunningham are on track for full recoveries. The Fever’s front office also faces key decisions regarding Cunningham’s contract status and how best to complement Clark’s generational talent with the right mix of veterans and emerging stars.
With the 2026 WNBA season looming and the promise of a healthy roster, Indiana fans have every reason to be optimistic. The lessons learned from a season of adversity may just be the fuel that propels the Fever to new heights next year. For now, the countdown to training camp begins, and the Fever faithful can only imagine what a fully loaded squad might accomplish when the league tips off again in May.
