After a slew of huge offseason strikes, expectations are excessive for the Indiana Fever heading into the 2025 season. Star guard Caitlin Clark is embracing them.
Requested in a Wednesday news conference if the Fever are discussing profitable a championship this season, Clark stated, “Yeah, completely.”
When a reporter requested a follow-up query about what success would appear like in 2025, Clark stated, “A championship.”
Final season, the Fever went 20-20, making the playoffs for the primary time since 2016. Clark sparked the turnaround. In 40 regular-season video games, she averaged 19.2 factors per sport, 8.4 assists per sport and 5.7 rebounds per sport, profitable Rookie of the 12 months.
The Connecticut Solar swept the Fever within the first spherical of the playoffs. To develop into an elite crew, Indiana went all-in this offseason.
The Fever parted methods with head coach Christie Sides and changed her with Stephanie White. In two seasons with the Solar, White went 55-25, profitable Coach of the 12 months in 2023.
Indiana additionally upgraded its roster, signing forwards DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard. Each deliver championship pedigree to the Fever.
Bonner gained two championships with the Phoenix Mercury, whereas Howard captured one title with the Minnesota Lynx and two with the Seattle Storm.
Nonetheless, that hasn’t made the Fever a transparent favourite to win a championship. As of Wednesday, ESPN Guess offers the New York Liberty the most effective odds (+230) to repeat as champions.
The Fever and the Las Vegas Aces are tied for the second-best championship odds (+350). The Aces, after all, have gained two titles over the previous three seasons.
Successful a championship is a lofty purpose for the Fever. However with an improved roster and an distinctive expertise in Clark, it might not be an unrealistic one.
Indiana has its first preseason sport at dwelling in opposition to the Washington Mystics on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. It ideas off the common season in opposition to the Chicago Sky on Might 17. The Fever can present why they are a contender this season in each matchups.
