If anyone has to pick a side that broke all barriers and made their presence felt despite challenges, it has to be the Indiana Fever without bias. Even the Aces without A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray would have struggled, but the Fever without 5 stars didn’t. Without Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, and Chloe Bibby, not only made it to the playoffs, but forced a Game 5 OT in the semifinals. Still, these don’t impress ESPN.

ESPN, in its ‘Way-Too-Early WNBA Power Rankings: Early look at 2026,’ gave the Fever the 5th spot. Ahead of them is, of course, the Aces, followed by Mercury, Dream, and Lynx. But after what we have seen in this season’s playoffs, can a team like this suddenly slip to being the fifth-best in 2026? Even analyst Robin Lundberg, a former ESPN employee, doesn’t think so. “Everybody’s entitled to their opinion, but I’m not really sure the logic to the Fever being fifth.”

According to Robin, the report underestimates the impact of Caitlin Clark’s return will have. “I think people forget how good Caitlin Clark is because she was out at certainly seems that way, and folks are trying to use an injury-riddled campaign or some shooting struggles when she was playing hurt against her to rub it in based on her popularity. But they’re getting a transcendent generational talent back. A player who is the greatest offensive engine the sport has ever seen back.” He further said.

There is an argument that calls Fever vs Aces semifinal felt like a Finals. ESPN probably missed that. Even Becky Hammon in the presser post-win mentioned that the likes of Clark and more have uplifted the standards, which makes the Aces’ win one of a kind. The Fever are still discussed because more than Mercury.  So, when Clark comes back, this Fever side is anything but 5th. Here’s why.

Caitlin Clark broke the WNBA assist record in her rookie season (337 assists). While that was later broken by Alyssa Thomas in 2025, Clark did not get that same opportunity. Also, she remains the only rookie since 2008 to be named to the All WNBA first team. That’s how good she was. Her importance in this Fever side is immense.

When Clark suffered through multiple injuries this year, the Fever suddenly lost 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game (her rookie year stats). Clark was never one hundred percent fit in 2025. Her first diagnosis of a left leg strain dates back to the preseason game she missed against the Washington Mystics. Now those days are in the rear view.

Clark will rehab and recover through the next 7 months and likely come back with the same energy as her rookie year. The doubts about her caliber on return are a given. She suffered multiple soft tissue injuries, and her game might have to be changed to avoid any further injury. But even if Clark’s output decreases by a modest 10-20%, the Indiana Fever will still be a force to be reckoned with. 

Let’s note it’s nearly impossible to plot rankings for 2026. The largest free agency of the league is looming, and there is no telling what might happen. If we had to rank the current positions of the team right now, the Indiana Fever would at least be No.2 in my list, and worst at 3 behind the Aces and the Lynx. This Fever side is here to stay and will retain almost its entire young core.

Clark and Boston are on their rookie contracts. Lexie Hull will be a restricted free agent, so the Fever can potentially pencil her into their 2026 squad. They will have to match any offer Hull receives from other teams, but it will be within their control. Without any assumptions about the future CBA or the potential movements in the free agent market, that is the best 2026 confirmed squad paired with one of the best coaches in Stephanie White, who could be the differentiator. 

Caitlin Clark-Stephanie White’s best versions yet to come as a coach-player duo

Stephanie White was supposed to elevate this team after a 2024 round 1 exit. She had to take things to another level. The former coach did, but not in a way everyone thought. White was given all the pieces to work with in the offseason. They brought in experience and youth in DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Howard, and Sydney Colson. But White was basically forced to be the firefighter.

The Indiana Fever rostered 18 players in 2025, and White still got the Indiana Fever deep into the playoffs with relief players. She had to adjust tactics, and the fast-paced style she envisioned this team playing had to be kept on the side burner for a while. They still stayed true to that at times, but it never became what could have been.

Fever played with a 95.71 pace in 2025, good enough for the 5th-best in the league. That is the same system Caitlin Clark thrived on at Iowa. Clark is a heavy usage player and the primary ball handler on the team, playing with pace and space. The turnovers are a side effect of that style, and many point out that as Clark’s Achilles heel. However, the Fever still finished with 14.0 turnovers per game regardless.

Clark’s creativity was missed by White as they finished with 20.6 assists per game, which was 7th in the league. White outcoached Karl Smesko in Round 1 of the playoffs and, to a stretch, even Becky Hammon. No other coach or team managed to lock up A’ja Wilson like Aliyah Boston and Stephanie White. While there were some early doubts about White, she has won over the fanbase and shown her caliber as a top-level coach. This upcoming season, with Clark coming back, White will wish to unleash a new game. Stay tuned.