“We had a really special group last year and it was an incredible first season for me in Indy; I loved everything about my teammates and the Fever organization. We fought through a ton of adversity, and it was important to me that we have a chance to see through what we started,” Cunningham said via the Fever’s official website.

“I have a feeling this is going to be another special season, so I’m excited to get things started and to, of course, keep playing in front of the best fans in the WNBA. Let’s get spicy!”

Are the Indiana Fever title contenders?

The Indiana Fever have emerged as legitimate championship contenders for the 2026 season following a resilient 2025 campaign. Despite Caitlin Clark being limited to just 13 games due to injuries, the team finished with a 24–20 record and reached the WNBA Semifinals, proving their roster depth under head coach Stephanie White.

A major factor in their status is the front office’s success in keeping the core together. The Fever secured Kelsey Mitchell (who averaged a franchise-record 20.2 PPG last season) with a three-year supermax extension and re-signed key veterans like Lexie Hull.

With Aliyah Boston dominating the paint and Clark recently earning MVP honors at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, the Fever have managed to surround their healthy generational stars with a proven supporting cast, making them one of the most dangerous teams heading into the new season.

Keeping Cunningham was key for the Fever

Building on what they’ve already accomplished could lay the foundation for major success. That’s how the Indiana Fever see it, as they expressed great satisfaction at having been able to retain Sophie Cunningham for at least one more season.

“We are thrilled to have Sophie back with the Fever and are grateful for her commitment to return and build on what we started a year ago. Not only is Sophie one of the best three-point shooters in the league, but she is an exceptional teammate, both on and off the court,” General Manager Amber Cox said. “She plays with infectious energy that impacts not only our team, but our fanbase as well.”

“Not shocking to see Indiana dealing out one-year deals (Kelsey Mitchell too). Remember, Caitlin Clark can get a big salary bump next year under the new EPIC provision (Aliyah Boston is eligible for it this year). Fever would have to do some retooling to fit everyone under the cap,” the insider Alexa Philippou revealed on X.

The Fever retained Mitchell on a $1.4 million max contract. What numbers will they be analyzing when offering Clark a deal in 2027?

Clark’s contract situation

Under the landmark 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Caitlin Clark’s financial trajectory has shifted significantly. While she remains on her rookie deal, the new “EPIC” provision (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) has already boosted her 2026 salary from approximately $86,000 to $528,846.

Because of her All-WNBA First Team status, she is projected to become eligible for a $1.3 million maximum contract in 2027, followed by a potential $1.7 million supermax in 2028. By keeping other veteran contracts short, the Indiana Fever are strategically clearing cap space to ensure they can offer Clark these historic figures as soon as she becomes eligible.

Fever keep their stars

The Fever have solidified their core for the 2026 season by securing key veterans alongside their young stars. While Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham return to the team, Lexie Hull signed multi-year deal with Indiana to provide long-term stability on the wing.

With these retentions, the Fever ensure that Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston remain surrounded by a proven supporting cast for another title run.

When does the season start for Indiana?

The Indiana Fever will officially tip off their 2026 regular season at home on Saturday, May 9, against the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET and marks the start of a 44-game campaign.

Fans can also catch a first glimpse of the team during the preseason, which begins with a road game against the New York Liberty on April 25, followed by a home exhibition against Dallas on April 30.

The back-and-forth between league officials and the true faces of the WNBA — its players and coaches — has continued to escalate as statements from both sides pile up. For now, despite several public exchanges, the concerns raised seem to be falling on deaf ears.

Cunningham stayed true to her outspoken style, taking aim at Engelbert over the ongoing issues. During her podcast Show Me Something, the Fever star didn’t hold back, stating bluntly that it’s always about what she [Engelbert] wants.

“Cathy no one cares. Literally, no one cares,” Caitlin Clark’s key teammate firmly stated.

The outcry from the league’s leading voices

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier unleashed a scathing critique of the WNBA and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, delivering one of the most blistering player rebukes in league history during her end-of-season press conference.

Collier declared, “We have the best players in the world… but right now, we have the worst leadership in the world,” while accusing the league office of “negligence” and a profound lack of accountability on issues ranging from inconsistent officiating to player health.

The two-time All-Star also disclosed private conversations, claiming Engelbert was dismissive of concerns over player salaries and that sensations like Caitlin Clark should be “grateful” for the league’s platform—claims Engelbert later publicly denied as “inaccuracies.”

The fiery exchange, which led to Collier reportedly canceling a follow-up meeting with the Commissioner, has put the league’s top brass under intense scrutiny as a contentious collective bargaining period looms.

Cunningham unfortunately suffered a severe knee injury that required surgery, followed by a lengthy rehab process — ultimately forcing her to miss the final stretch of the season, including the playoffs.

True to her style and always active on social media, the former Missouri standout shared an emotional message on her official Instagram account — offering a brief reflection on what this year with the Fever has meant to her.

“15 new friends, a couple fines (&fights), a new tooth, a new knee, and a happy heart …. year 7 is one for the books,” she said via @sophie_cham.

Clark, ever the loyal teammate, replied with a message that fired up Fever fans — and sent a warning to the rest of the league. “Time to run it back,” she said.

Time for redemption

After watching their season end prematurely from the bench, Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham are reportedly laser-focused on a powerful revenge tour with the Fever next year.

Clark, who missed the majority of her sophomore campaign with groin and ankle issues, is determined to finally deliver on the massive expectations that followed her to the WNBA.

Joining her is the fiery Cunningham, whose hard-nosed season was abruptly cut short by a torn MCL. These two key guards—one a generational superstar, the other the team’s emotional spark plug—have carried the frustration of their season-ending injuries throughout the long offseason.

both lead a Fever squad that isn’t just looking to make the playoffs once again, but to aggressively “run it back” and prove the team’s ceiling is far higher than the injury-plagued campaign allowed them to show.

With free agency just around the corner, Hull is one of several players who will either look to renegotiate a deal with their current team or potentially find a new home elsewhere, as other franchises may look to acquire the talented guard.

In recent comments shared by reporter Chloe Peterson via her official X account (formerly Twitter), the former Stanford standout expressed that she’s currently very happy in Indiana — though her future with the team remains undecided.

“I’ve built a life here, and I love this franchise. I love the people, I love the fans, so we’ll see what comes,” Hull said.

Which other players will hit free agency this offseason?

The Indiana Fever are bracing for a massive offseason as they face the looming free agency of nearly their entire veteran roster. Headlining the list of free agents is star guard Kelsey Mitchell, who enters unrestricted free agency alongside key frontcourt player Natasha Howard and sharpshooter Sophie Cunningham.

With a total of seven players hitting the open market as unrestricted free agents—including Damiris Dantas, Sydney Colson, Brianna Turner, and Odyssey Sims—General Manager Amber Cox will have her hands full maintaining continuity around the young core.

Crucially, guard Lexie Hull is a Restricted Free Agent, giving the Fever the right to match any outside offer, but her future is far from guaranteed. The team also holds the rights to Chloe Bibby and will monitor the status of Kristy Wallace. The decisions made this winter will be pivotal in determining if the Fever can build on their recent success and contend for a title next season.

A new era in the WNBA

The upcoming WNBA offseason is set to be one of the most transformative in league history. Negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are underway between the league and the players, potentially leading to major changes in player compensation and roster rules.

This pivotal moment is compounded by the expansion draft for the two new teams in Toronto and Portland, Oregon, and an unprecedented number of free agents, which includes nearly every veteran star, creating the potential for a complete reshaping of team rosters and the league’s power dynamic.

Kelsey Mitchell will enter the WNBA Free Agency market but that doesn’t mean the Indiana Fever will stay arms crossed into the matter. While they have Sophie Cunnigham and Caitlin Clark on their roster, the GM of the team has made clear the intentions regarding the departing guard.

The intension is to bring her back. Amber Cox, the Fever’s GM, said “I’m going to sound like a broken record: The No. 1 priority will be Kelsey Mitchell and making sure she remains in a Fever uniform.”

Mitchell was the leader of this team, including the points per game department. Sophie Cunningham, and especially Caitlin Clark, missed many games due to injury, and Mitchell stepped up to guide the team all the way to the WNBA semifinals.

Mitchell admitted her love for Indiana

While Mitchell said she will take her time to evaluate what’s best for her, she left the door open to a return, stating Indiana is her second family. Hence, you’d assume that if the offer is good enough, Mitchell won’t have any trouble of re-signing with the team that drafted her eight years ago.

Mitchell is a prolific scorer and has the ability to create her own shots. However, she also excels when sharing the court with Clark. Once Clark gets double teamed, Mitchell gets open looks and she delivers.

Indiana Fever is coming for a revenge season

While getting all the way to the semis is not bad, especially given how injured the roster was during last season, it’s not what the team wants. By drafting Caitlin Clark, they immediately go from a pretender to a contender. With many of the roster recovered, the mission is clear: retain Mitchell and go for the chip.

Clark and Mitchell are arguably the best backcourt in the WNBA, at least on the offensive side of the ball. Cunningham will come back and she will provide a rim protector on the frontcourt so the guards can ball more freely. The ring is not easy to get, but if healthy, they are a clear contender.

Now, with the season over, Cunningham enters free agency. The 29-year-old guard made it clear she wants to stay in Indiana. “I have loved being here, and I don’t think that’s news to anybody … I’ve been in the league seven years, and I’ve never been part of a team like this,” Cunningham said, via The Indianapolis Star’s Chloe Peterson.

Still, Cunningham admitted she won’t ignore the free agency market, even as she hopes to re-sign with the Fever. “I might be blonde, but I can’t just not look at other opportunities… but my hope is, I’ve had a great time here, and I would like to continue that”.

This was Cunningham’s first year with the Fever after joining from the Phoenix Mercury. Before her WNBA season was cut short by a torn MCL in her right knee, she averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals across 30 appearances.

The Fever’s injury-plagued season

Indiana’s 2025 campaign was defined by injuries. Clark, the franchise cornerstone, appeared in just 13 games before being sidelined. Cunningham’s injury followed, leaving the Fever without their top two players.

Despite the setbacks, head coach Stephanie White’s team showed resilience—knocking out the Atlanta Dream in the first round and pushing the Aces to a Game 5 overtime battle in the semifinals.

Cunningham praised her team’s perseverance while acknowledging the toll of the injuries: “The season was amazing in so many ways, the love in the locker room, the way the fans embraced us … it was also a season in hell. … When it’s blow after blow, it’s exhausting. For us to take a deep breath and know no one else is getting injured”.

Kelsey Mitchell, one of the standout performers for Stephanie White’s team during the final stretch of the campaign, experienced extreme cramping in her lower body and was taken to the hospital following the game. She will remain under medical supervision by the medical staff.

The news was shared through the Fever’s official website via a brief statement providing information on Mitchell’s condition.

“On Tuesday night, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell experienced extreme cramping in her lower body during the third quarter of the Fever’s game at Las Vegas. Mitchell was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated and released late Tuesday night. Mitchell will remain under the supervision of the Fever medical team and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Injuries: The Fever’s Achilles’ heel

The Indiana Fever’s impressive campaign has been dealt a brutal, season-ending blow as both superstar guard Caitlin Clark and key veteran Sophie Cunningham were out for the remainder of the season.

Clark, the face of the franchise, had her sophomore season cut short by a persistent groin injury, while Cunningham’s gritty two-way presence was lost to a torn MCL suffered late in the year.

The loss of both dynamic scorers and high-impact players, especially in the backcourt, left a depleted Fever roster facing an uphill battle to keep their playoff aspirations alive till the end. This double whammy of major injuries has effectively derailed what was a promising year of growth for Indiana.

The podcast Show Me Something has become a platform where Cunningham regularly shares not only moments from her personal life, but also her thoughts on the team and how they’re navigating this stage of the season.

It was there, just days ago, that one of the team’s biggest voices sounded off on their current opponent—making it clear that, in her view, Indiana didn’t get the credit they deserved after their first win.

“The Aces gave, they had media the next day and they gave us no credit,” the former Missouri standout player said.

“Especially like A’ja, she’s like, ‘Oh I just played bad.’ I’m like dude, AB had you in clamps my girl. And then like Game Two, we all kinda knew the league side of things, they definitely play better, don’t get me wrong. Vegas played better. Junk defense, which was hard for us we weren’t hitting our shots whatsoever.”

On the ropes

The Indiana Fever are now one loss away from elimination after falling to the Las Vegas Aces 84-72 in a pivotal Game 3 on Friday night, giving Coach Becky Hammon’s squad a commanding 2-1 lead in the WNBA Semifinals.

Despite a spirited effort from Kelsey Mitchell in front of a passionate home crowd, the injury-plagued Fever ran out of steam, suffering a debilitating near nine-minute scoring drought in the second half. Led by Jackie Young’s 25 points, the Aces clamped down defensively late, seizing control to take a decisive series advantage.

The Fever must now regroup for an absolute must-win Game 4 on Sunday in Indianapolis to keep their WNBA title hopes alive.

Although she can’t be on the court with her teammates, the former Mercury player knows she can still contribute significantly from the sidelines — even applying some pressure on the referees in her own way.

During a recent appearance on her podcast Show Me Something, Cunningham revealed how she tries to throw referees off their game by using certain comments throughout the matches.

“Just having the voice and pouring confidence into people because at this point, everyone knows what the other team can do,” she said.

“I’m there to just talk some (expletive) to the refs, talk some (expletive) to the other team, really pour into my teammates. I want them to be confident because that’s when everyone’s at their best, and it’s just more fun.”

The Indiana Fever’s impressive campaign

The Indiana Fever’s unexpected playoff success is a testament to their incredible resilience, as the team has been forced to navigate a challenging season without two of their key players. Star Caitlin Clark and veteran guard Sophie Cunningham have both been out with season-ending injuries, leaving the team’s depth and grit to be tested.

Despite losing two major contributors for extended periods, the Fever have come together to defy expectations, securing a playoff spot and advancing to the WNBA Semifinals. This impressive campaign has been defined by clutch performances from players like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, proving that even a roster facing major setbacks can achieve big things.

What’s next for the Fever?

With the goal of continuing their strong run in the Playoffs and advancing to the Finals, here are the upcoming challenges facing Stephanie White’s team:

• @ Michelob ULTRA Arena Las Vegas, September 23
• Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, September 26
• Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, September 28 (If necessary)
• @ Michelob ULTRA Arena Las Vegas, September 30 (If necessary)

Once the big win was in the books and emotions had slightly settled, Cunningham spoke on the Show Me Something podcast, reflecting on her team’s heroic performance — and slipping in an interesting shot at the league in the process.

“The League is so mad that we won, because we are literally not supposed to be here at all, and that just fuels our fire even more,” she said.

What prompted her words, in particular? Well, heading into this intriguing matchup, many believed the Dream were the clear favorites to advance to the semifinals — something that ultimately didn’t happen.

A tough series ahead

The Indiana Fever‘s improbable playoff run continues, with the gritty team now facing their biggest test yet: a best-of-five WNBA semifinals series against the Las Vegas Aces.

Having defied expectations and injuries to get this far, the Fever, led by head coach Stephanie White, are riding a wave of momentum. However, taking on the star-studded Aces—who have home-court advantage for games on September 21st and 23rd—is a monumental challenge.

With Game 3 scheduled for September 26th in Indiana, the question looms: can this resilient Fever squad pull off the upset and punch their ticket to the WNBA Finals?

The semifinals schedule

• @ Michelob ULTRA Arena Las Vegas, September 21
• @ Michelob ULTRA Arena Las Vegas, September 23
• Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, September 26
• Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, September 28 (If necessary)
• @ Michelob ULTRA Arena Las Vegas, September 30 (If necessary)