Current:Home > FinanceLed by Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever clinch first playoff berth since 2016 -GrowthInsight
Led by Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever clinch first playoff berth since 2016
View
Date:2025-04-12 19:03:01
INDIANAPOLIS — It's official: the Indiana Fever's playoff drought will stop at seven seasons.
The Fever officially clinched a playoff spot as Chicago lost to Las Vegas and Atlanta lost to Phoenix late on Tuesday night. Now, even if Indiana were to lose each of its last seven games, it would still be in the playoffs.
This is the first time since 2016 the Fever clinched a playoff spot, and their seven seasons out of the playoffs was the longest active drought in the WNBA and tied for the longest drought all-time (the Chicago Sky missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons from 2006-13).
The Fever have clinched a spot with seven games still remaining in the season — a stark contrast from some past seasons, when they were eliminated with this many (or more) games to go. Indiana got close to the playoffs last year, but they were eliminated from contention with five games left in the season.
This will be Indiana's first playoff berth since Tamika Catchings, Indiana's franchise player from 2002-16, retired. And it's fitting that it comes in the first season the Fever potentially have a new franchise player in rookie Caitlin Clark.
Clark, who was drafted No. 1 by the Fever in April after back-to-back National Player of the Year awards, joined forces with 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, 2022 No. 2 pick NaLyssa Smith, and 2018 No. 2 pick Kelsey Mitchell on the Fever. Indiana went through some growing pains, which is typical for a young team with a new point guard. The grueling schedule didn't help, as the Fever had 11 games in 19 days to start the season; they started 2-9.
The Fever have gone 15-7 since that opening stretch and have tallied at least one win over the 10 of their 11 league opponents, including the New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, and Minnesota Lynx. The only team the Fever have not beaten yet this season is the Las Vegas Aces; they come to Indianapolis for a back-to-back on Sept. 11 and 13.
Clark has been putting up unprecedented numbers for her rookie season, averaging 18.7 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. She tallied the first rookie triple-double in WNBA history earlier this season and currently leads the league in assists per game. She has already broken the rookie assist record, and she is on track to beat the single-season assist record that was set just last season by the Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas.
Clark is unique in her ability to combine her playmaking and scoring ability — her 18.7 points per game are second on the Fever (behind Mitchell) and ninth in the league. She has the most single-season double-doubles by a guard in WNBA history, and all of them have been with points and assists.
Mitchell, a seven-year veteran, has also been playing some of the best basketball of her career this season. She is on an active streak of seven straight games with 20+ points, demolishing a Fever franchise record. Her quickness on the court has paired well with Clark's intricate passes, making them a nearly unstoppable backcourt duo.
Led by Mitchell and Clark, the Fever have gone 6-1 since the Olympic break. Indiana currently sits at 17-16 — the first time it has been over .500 since 2019.
The Fever are at No. 6 in the WNBA standings, so if the season ended today, the Fever would match up with the Minnesota Lynx, the No. 3 seed, for a best-of-3 series.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Trader Joe’s chicken soup dumplings recalled for possibly containing permanent marker plastic
- Why Joey Graziadei Is Defending Sydney Gordon After Bachelor Drama
- Georgia teen critically injured after police trade gunfire with a group near Six Flags
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Jake Paul vs. Ryan Bourland live updates: How to watch, stream Jake Paul fight card
- Former NFL player Braylon Edwards saves 80-year-old man from gym locker room attack
- In Hawaii, coral is the foundation of life. What happened to it after the Lahaina wildfire?
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Kristin Cavallari slams critics of her dating 24-year-old: 'They’re all up in arms'
Ranking
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- NPR puzzlemaster Will Shortz says he is recovering from a stroke
- The enduring story for Underground Railroad Quilts
- Actor Will Forte says completed Coyote vs. Acme film is likely never coming out
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- For people in Gaza, the war with Israel has made a simple phone call anything but
- The Daily Money: Consumer spending is bound to run out of steam. What then?
- The Daily Money: Consumer spending is bound to run out of steam. What then?
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
'Dune: Part Two' ending explained: Atreides' revenge is harrowing warning (spoilers ahead)
People seeking drug treatment can't take their pets. This Colorado group finds them temporary homes.
Putting LeBron James' 40,000 points in perspective, from the absurd to the amazing
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Why didn’t Amanda Serrano fight? Jake Paul business partner says hair chemical to blame
A Lake Oswego dad is accused of drugging girls at a sleepover by lacing smoothies: Reports
Watch: Caitlin Clark breaks Pete Maravich's NCAA scoring record