We’re just two days out from tip-off, and the buzz around the W is unreal. The biggest question? Can the Indiana Fever take that next step in Year 2 of the Caitlin Clark era? Can they actually go all the way and win it all? Ask Clark about her goals this season, and she doesn’t mince words. She sums it up in one word, “championship.” It’s clear that this isn’t just about the fans dreaming big. The players want it as well! And head coach Stephanie White? She’s not holding back either. But with all this talk, you can’t help but wonder…Are they putting a target on their backs?
Earlier this month, Stephanie White sat down for an interview and got real about expectations for the Fever this season. “Everybody who’s been a part of a team, everybody who’s won championships, everybody who’s been a part of growing something special, knows that a lot of things have to fall in line for you to win a championship. They do,” she said. “That’s why it’s so incredibly difficult. But we’re not shying away from the fact that we want to win a championship, that we want to position ourselves every single day to win a championship.”
These comments make one thing crystal clear—the Fever mean business. They’re locked in on chasing that second championship. But are they putting a target on their back in the process? On the In Case You Missed It podcast, host Khristina Williams sat down with Pardison Fontaine and Myles Ehrlich to break it all down. And yeah, both guests seemed to agree—Indiana might be setting themselves up as the team everyone wants to beat. Big names like ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo are fueling that fire, stating that the Fever are now in the championship conversation alongside the Liberty, Lynx, and Aces. With Caitlin Clark’s face prominently featured in marketing campaigns and her significant impact on the team’s visibility, it’s no wonder opponents are circling their games against Indy.
One of them said, “She (Stephanie White) put that target on her back willingly when she went to an Indiana team that made a ton of noise in free agency, and Caitlin Clark coming off of a Rookie of the Year where she was also First Team All-WNBA. Caitlin was incredible.”
Well, the Fever definitely made some serious moves this offseason. On paper, they addressed most of their weaknesses from last year. Defense on the wing and in the post? Covered!In comes 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Natasha Howard and 6x WNBA All-Star DeWanna Bonner! Backcourt depth? Upgraded! Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham are now in the mix to support the electric back court duo of Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark. On paper, the Fever look like a complete team. They’ve made smart offseason moves, shored up their defense, and added veteran leadership. A championship isn’t just a dream anymore—it’s starting to feel like a real possibility. And naturally, they will begin the season as a team to beat for others. Will they be able to handle those expectations and pressure? Guess till will tell.
So far, the Fever have lived up to the hype with an impressive showing in the preseason. What’s been most encouraging is how the depth pieces have stepped up! Players beyond the starting five have shown they’re ready to contribute and help Caitlin Clark carry the offensive load. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing—Clark tweaked her leg against the Mystics, and Cunningham rolled her ankle against the Dream. Both are fine, but it’s a reminder that White’s got to juggle health and chemistry with ten new faces. She’s been mixing and matching lineups, like starting Cunningham over Bonner one game, to find the right flow. That’s not easy when you’re trying to gel a team this talented in just a few weeks.
Caitlin Clark and co enjoy a solid preseason show!
It’s been an undeniably strong preseason for the Indiana Fever—one that included a special homecoming game for Caitlin Clark. Three games, three wins. Victories over the Mystics and Dream showed that this team can hold its own against quality opponents in the league. And then there was the game against the Brazil National Team, which gave Clark a chance to suit up in front of the very crowd where her journey began. Beyond just the wins, the biggest takeaway might be the Fever’s bench. This preseason made it clear–they’ve got real depth this year.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is announced ahead of a WNBA preseason game against the Brazil National Team May 4, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
And that’s exactly what we’ve seen so far. Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham have stepped up in a big way–and that’s huge for Caitlin Clark. Hull made the most of her 23 minutes off the bench against the Atlanta Dream, scoring 11 of her 14 total points in the fourth quarter alone. She led the team in scoring, shot 6-of-12 from the field, pulled down five boards, and handed out four assists. Then there’s Sophie Cunningham, who absolutely caught fire against the Mystics. She dropped a game-high 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out two assists, and posted a +16 on the floor.
With the bench proving they can ease the load on Caitlin Clark’s shoulders, this season is shaping up to be a special one for the Indiana Fever. Both fans and analysts are expecting a deep playoff run.
But with high expectations comes pressure—will it push them forward or weigh them down? Stay tuned to find out!
The post Caitlin Clark & Co. Put a Target on Indiana Fever HC’s Back Thanks to National Reporter’s Bold Locker Room Stance appeared first on EssentiallySports.
