The Indiana Fever are gaining attention as one of the WNBA's best lineups, especially with Caitlin Clark returning after an injury-plagued season. The upcoming 2026 season promises increased competition and higher salaries across the league.
Caitlin Clark fans will love Fever's ranking among WNBA's best lineups originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 WNBA Draft is in the books, and training camp now is just around the corner. It's all building up to the league's 30th season, with more teams -- and higher salaries -- than ever before.
While the Las Vegas Aces set out to defend their title in three weeks' time, A'ja Wilson and company will face stiff challenges in their bid to win a fourth championship in five years. The New York Liberty added Satou Sabally in free agency to form a "Big Four" that includes two former league MVPs. The Atlanta Dream's trade for Angel Reese adds The W's best rebounder to the league's best rebounding team -- and another playmaker to the league's second-best offense.
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Then there is the Indiana Fever, welcoming back Caitlin Clark after the superstar guard endured an injury-riddled 2025 season. Despite the Fever's injury plague, Indiana pushed Las Vegas to the limit in the WNBA semifinals; the Aces needed overtime to win Game 5 at home before going on to sweep the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.
The Sporting News ranks Indiana's starting five as the fourth-best unit in the WNBA -- a ranking that underlines how the Fever (health permitting) should compete for a championship this season.
Joining Clark in the backcourt is All-WNBA guard Kelsey Mitchell, who just enjoyed the best season of her career in 2025 by averaging 20.2 points per game. Forwards Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull are strong shooters who offer an edge defensively, while center Aliyah Boston is one of the league's best all-around bigs: startlingly efficient offensively and a top-flight anchor defensively.
Of course, Clark needs little introduction as the fulcrum on which the Fever offense is built. Fans missed watching Clark's long-range shooting and inventive playmaking as she spent much of 2025 battling injury. Her return to action could be the deciding factor that lifts the Fever over other contenders as Indiana eyes a first championship in 14 years.
Caitlin Clark's return is crucial as she is a superstar guard who can significantly enhance the Fever's performance after a challenging 2025 season.
The Indiana Fever pushed the Las Vegas Aces to the limit, requiring overtime in Game 5 before ultimately losing the series.
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