The Indiana Fever are entering the 2024 WNBA regular season with momentum and swagger after sweeping the preseason 3-0.
Their latest win, an 81-76 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, capped a dominant run that showcased both promise and areas for growth.
The Fever opened their preseason with a gritty overtime win against the Washington Mystics (79-74), followed by a jaw-dropping 108-44 rout over the Brazil National Team at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Their final test against Atlanta proved tighter but no less satisfying, solidifying their status as a team to watch this season.
Much of the hype centers around rookie phenom Caitlin Clark, who continues to dazzle fans with highlight plays and fearless leadership. Clark notched 13 points against Atlanta, while veteran DeWanna Bonner contributed 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.
Guard Sophie Cunningham also played a crucial role in steadying the team.
With ESPN ranking Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell in the WNBA’s top 25 players-Clark controversially at No. 4-the Fever’s roster is under intense scrutiny. The attention, while exciting, brings added pressure to maintain unity and consistency.
Coach White calls for sharper execution
Despite the perfect record, head coach Stephanie White wasn’t shy about pointing out early-game issues, particularly the team’s 10 first-half turnovers against Atlanta.
“We did a better job of taking care of the ball in the second half,” White said on the team’s official YouTube channel.
“But I was disappointed that we had 10 first-half turnovers. A lot of them were us trying to force things that just weren’t there.”
White, a former WNBA All-Defensive standout, has taken a hands-on approach with Clark-running drills to sharpen her decision-making and pairing her with veteran Sydney Colson during practices to improve communication.
Clark‘s turnover history is no secret. As a WNBA rookie, she led the league in 2024 with 223 turnovers across 40+ games, averaging 5.7 per game. Her 10-turnover debut against the Connecticut Sun remains a talking point.
Still, Clark has shown significant improvement. She’s acknowledged her past mistakes and has focused on enhancing her ball control and court awareness. Under White‘s guidance, she’s already shown better decision-making in late-game scenarios.
With preseason now in the rearview mirror, Coach White expects even more from her squad.
The Fever may be riding high, but White is laser-focused on ironing out weaknesses before the games start to count.
As the Fever look ahead, expectations are sky-high. Clark has the backing of her coach and teammates, and the entire locker room is buying into a culture of accountability and growth.
The road to regular-season success won’t be easy, but with their current trajectory, Indiana may be on the verge of a breakthrough year.
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