Caitlin Clark rewrites history again: Indiana returns to playoffs after years

It’s been a long journey. Not long ago, Indiana had a 1-8 record and a goal called the playoffs seemed unrealistic. However, the Fever and their new star Caitlin Clark have managed to turn that unfavorable situation around. So after seven years of waiting, the team clinched a playoff berth and broke the longest drought in league history.

• Indiana Fever reach WNBA playoffs after seven years
• Caitlin Clark has become a key player for the team and is rewriting records
• Indiana has won four games in a row

The Indiana Fever made the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The team advanced thanks to losses by the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream, which opened the Fever’s path to the top. The Fever ended the longest streak of not participating in the elimination round in WNBA history.

The Fever return to elite company after many years. Their last playoff appearance was in 2016, when they finished with a 17-17 record and dropped out in the first round. This year, after a 100-93 win over the Dallas Wings, the team has risen to a 17-16 record and is above the 50% win mark for the first time since 2019.

The Indiana Fever are only the second team in WNBA history to make the playoffs after starting the season with a 1-8 record. This accomplishment is reminiscent of the Charlotte Sting’s journey in 2001, which made it all the way to the Finals where they lost to the Los Angeles Sparks.

Their streak of four wins in a row after the Olympic break was key to returning to the playoffs. Indiana became the sixth team this season to clinch a playoff spot, joining the New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces.

Rookie of the season: Caitlin Clark

One of the stars of the team is Caitlin Clark, the number one draft pick who is rewriting records with her performances. This season, she is averaging 18.7 points, 8.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. Last week, in a win over the Chicago Sky, she scored an incredible 31 points and 12 assists. She became the first player in league history to reach 30 points and 12 assists in a single game.

The Iowa native was also named Player of the Week once again. She did so for the second consecutive year, thanks to her performance between August 26 and September 1, when she averaged 24.3 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds per game.

During Wednesday’s win over Connecticut, Sun Clark set another record by hitting the most threes as a rookie in the competition. With 98 made threes, she is now approaching the magical 100 mark that few players have surpassed in league history.

Along with Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, who leads Indiana in scoring, Aliyah Boston, NaLyssa Smith and Lexie Hull also make up the core of the team. Each of these players contribute to the success with their performances, whether it be points, assists or rebounds.

The Fever will now face a series of seven very difficult regular season games, starting tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Sparks. However, six of the games will be played on Indiana’s home floor, where games are regularly sold out. The team’s average attendance has increased from last year’s 4,067 to a staggering 16,680 per game, more than some teams in the NBA.

Source: ESPN, Indiana Fever