5 KEYS TO A FEVER CHAMPIONSHIP

WRITTEN + EDITED BY JORDYN BONTRAGER

Once upon a time, hopes were hefty heading into the 2025 preseason period for the Indiana Fever. That same preseason period now seems like an eternity ago, and those same high expectations have been met with relative mediocrity.

At 13-12 (6th best record in the W), the league’s most polarizing franchise may seem off track on the surface in it’s pursuit of a title. However, things could actually be a LOT worse for a squad that has dealt with both injury and chemistry issues. In all actuality, there are a number of reasons to still believe in the Fever as legitimate contenders this season…

…as long as 5 key assignments are addressed accordingly.

CAITLIN CLARK’S GOTTA STAY HEALTHY

Caitlin Clark has suited up in only 13 of the Fever’s 25 games so far this season. With no exact timetable for her return to action from an active ailment AND only 19 regular season games remaining, the undisputed key to the entire operation is for the team’s leader to get back on the floor AND stay on the floor.

ALIYAH BOSTON’S GOTTA STAY ASSERTIVE

When Aliyah Boston has it going, she is up there with A’Ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier among the league’s best bigs. But she seems to have one silent night every few outings where she’s simply not on the hunt. And even when she is showing aggression, it still seems like there is an untapped level of hunger for ‘her to get hers’.

KELSEY MITCHELL’S GOTTA DO WHAT KELSEY MITCHELL DOES

With or without Clark on the court, the Fev show needs Kelsey Mitchell out there playing her game and sustaining her rhythm on a consistent basis. She has been nothing shy of spectacular this SZN: 19.6 PPG x 2.7 APG x 46% FG x 36.2% 3FG x 75.5% FT.

¿Best backcourt in league history?

LEXIE HULL x SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM GOTTA STAY LOCKED + LOADED

You already know what you are going to get in terms of pestilent perimeter defense from the blonde bodyguards, and as long as they are connecting on 43.7% (Hull) and 41.9% (Cunningham) of their triple tries the Fever are going to be a nightmare to defend. Hull has tapered off considerably since her scorching start to the season (hit 55.3% of her 3’s through the team’s first 14 games), and now Cunningham is the one knocking down virtually everything she shoots (hit 58% of her 5.2 3PA’s in the team’s last 5 games).

If they are both clamping AND clipping, it could very well be a wrap.

AARI MCDONALD x NATASHA HOWARD GOTTA FILL IN THE CRACKS

DeWanna Bonner was the loudest acquisition to this team in the offseason, and Natasha Howard was the most logical one. But contrary to what some may believe, Aari McDonald has actually made the greatest impact of any of the Fever’s newbies. Her dagger against the Aces was straight lethal, and her energy on both ends of the floor will be a critical component to this team’s championship chase looking ahead to the rest of the 2025 WNBA season.