The Indiana Fever have ended a lengthy playoff drought, securing their first postseason appearance since 2016, after a series of fortuitous events unfolded on Tuesday night. With losses by the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream, the Fever managed to back into a playoff spot, making them the sixth team to clinch a spot in this year’s WNBA playoffs. The Fever’s drought was the longest active playoff absence in the league and matched the longest in WNBA history, previously set by the Chicago Sky, who missed the playoffs in their first seven seasons.
Congrats to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever for CLINCHING their first WNBA Playoffs berth since 2016. #FeverRising pic.twitter.com/pIAqUV3J26
— Hawkeyes Wire (@HawkeyesWire) September 4, 2024
The Fever, who did not play on Tuesday, benefited from the Las Vegas Aces’ dominant 90-71 win over the Chicago Sky, led by A’ja Wilson’s impressive 30-point performance, and the Phoenix Mercury’s 74-66 victory against the Atlanta Dream. These results dropped both the Dream and the Sky to an 11-22 record for the season, allowing the Fever to secure the tiebreaker over both teams.
With the Fever’s playoff spot locked in, they join the ranks of the New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, and Las Vegas Aces. The Phoenix Mercury also clinched their playoff berth thanks to their win and Chicago’s loss. With one playoff spot remaining, the competition continues to heat up as the regular season draws to a close.
The Fever have been on an impressive run, winning four straight games, including a crucial 100-93 victory over the Dallas Wings on Sunday. This win marked their sixth victory in seven games since the Olympic break, pushing them to a 17-16 record for the season and above .500 for the first time since 2019. The Fever’s last playoff appearance in 2016 saw them finish with a 17-17 record, where they were eliminated in the first round after 12 consecutive postseason appearances, which followed their first and only WNBA championship in 2012.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever secure WNBA playoff spot… thanks to the help of rival Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky https://t.co/Ix9Cq8NZPu pic.twitter.com/ny4wPIwlIq
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) September 4, 2024
Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark has been a standout for the Fever, averaging 18.7 points, a league-leading 8.4 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game this season. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star recently set a career-high with 31 points and 12 assists in a win over the Sky, making her the first player in WNBA history to achieve a 30-point, 12-assist game. She also broke the WNBA rookie 3-point record, averaging three 3-pointers per game, just behind Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale’s 3.1 per game.
With seven games remaining in the regular season, the Fever are poised to potentially improve their playoff positioning, starting with their next game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night. The team and its fans are hopeful that this return to the playoffs marks the beginning of a new era of success for the franchise.
Key Points:
i. The Indiana Fever have clinched their first playoff spot since 2016 after losses by the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream.
ii. The Fever’s playoff drought was the longest active streak in the WNBA and matched the longest in league history.
iii. Caitlin Clark has been a key player, setting records and leading the league in assists, helping the Fever secure a playoff berth.
iv. The Fever are on a strong run, winning six of their last seven games since the Olympic break.
v. With seven games left in the regular season, the Fever look to build momentum and improve their playoff standing.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News