The Indiana Fever secure playoff spot
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Clark and Mitchell have been a dynamic duo for the Fever. Photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images
The Indiana Fever have caught fire at a pivotal moment in the 2024 WNBA season with their first winning record in five years.
Why it matters: Only seven more regular season games are left on the Fever's schedule and they've already secured a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
- The Fever, who currently have a hold on the 6th seed for the playoffs, locked it in yesterday when the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream lost on the road.
The big picture: The early season growing pains have subsided, and the 6-1 record the Fever have amassed since the Olympic break serves as proof that the team has figured it out.
- Despite being sixth in the playoff standings, the latest WNBA power rankings list the Fever as a top-five team in the league.
- Making such a strong playoff push late in Caitlin Clark's rookie season also bodes well for the future of the franchise.
What they're saying: "Our focus is just finding ways to get a little bit better every day," head coach Christie Sides said Sunday. "These guys are just growing together, building confidence in each other … we weren't successful at certain things we were trying early, and now we're finding some success in those things."
Driving the news: The team's current momentum was bolstered by their latest victory, a 100-93 win over the Dallas Wings on Sunday that lifted the Fever to a 17-16 record.
- That game saw Kelsey Mitchell and Clark lead the way with 36 and 28 points, respectively.
- It was Mitchell's seventh straight game with at least 20 points, extending the franchise record for most consecutive 20-point games.
Between the lines: Breaking .500 is a significant accomplishment for a team that only won a combined 18 games across their previous two seasons.
- The last time the Fever was above .500 was June 2019.
What we're watching: What end-of-the-year accolades will wind up in the Fever trophy case when it's all said and done.
- Oddsmakers point to Clark as the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year, and her leading all rookies in multiple stat categories certainly helps.
- It's a long shot, but an argument can be made for Sides to enter coach of the year conversations considering the team's performance, and her ability to manage some massive stars trying to gel under an equally massive microscope.
What's next: The Fever return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday night for a matchup with the 7-24 Los Angles Sparks.
- The Fever are the favorite among oddsmakers, but the last time they played the Sparks they lost 88-82.
- If the Fever win, they'll have the longest active win streak in the WNBA at five games in a row.
Plus: The game is the first of six straight home games the Fever will play between now and Sept. 15, including back-to-back matchups with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Sept. 11 and 13.
- The Aces are the only WNBA team the Fever haven't beaten at least once this season.
If you go: Tipoff is at 7pm.
- Tickets start at $8.
How to watch: CBS Sports Network or WALV.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to say the Fever have secured a playoff spot.