The Indiana Fever came close to making the 2025 WNBA Finals, missing the mark by a single game. Even with that heartbreak, there’s no shortage of hope in Indianapolis. Both Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham were sidelined by injuries during the final stretch, but that didn’t shake the team’s confidence.
Inside the locker room, there’s a belief that the Fever’s future is in good hands. Clark, general manager Amber Cox, and head coach Stephanie White are seen as the core trio leading Indiana’s next chapter.
Clark joined the WNBA in 2024 and immediately changed everything about how the Fever operated. She wasn’t just the team’s star scorer. She also became a key voice in personnel moves and strategy talks. While Cox handles the official decisions, Clark’s opinion carries real weight when it comes to shaping the roster and the team’s system.
Cunningham, who joined the Fever before the 2025 season, says she’s seen Clark’s leadership firsthand. On Show Me Something with West Wilson, the veteran guard praised her teammate’s influence.
“Those types of athletes, they get to come into an organization, they have the green light and they can do whatever they want,”Cunningham said. “When you have a generational talent like that, she should have a lot to say about the system.”
Clark’s impact goes beyond the court
Cunningham made it clear that Clark has earned her authority. She said the 23-year-old not only runs the offense but also helps build the culture that defines the Fever today. When asked about Clark changing the team’s playbook, Cunningham responded simply: “As she should.”
That statement caught attention across the WNBA, showing just how much trust Clark has earned from her teammates. Earlier in the year, Cunningham stood up for Clark during a heated game against the Connecticut Sun, a moment that made headlines and showed how tight this roster has become.
When you have a generational talent like that, she should have a lot to say about the system
Clark has been sidelined since July 15 with a groin injury, but her presence continues to shape the team. Before her injury, she averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. Those numbers and her leadership make her one of the most influential players in the league at just 23.
As the Fever look toward next season, the message from Cunningham is clear. Caitlin Clark has earned the right to lead this team however she wants and the rest of the locker room is following her lead.
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