Indiana Fever WNBA Playoff Berth Earns Admiration

Nothing has come easy this season for the Indiana Fever. That is why the team's win over the Washington Mystics to secure a spot in the WNBA Playoffs is worth celebrating. Let's start with the obvious, the Fever have had to navigate the vast majority of the year without superstar Caitlin Clark, who was available for only 13 games and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Of course, Clark is far from the only injury Indiana has had to deal with. Five players have been sidelined for the duration, including standout Sophie Cunningham and pivotal backup point guard addition Aari McDonald. This put the Fever in a position to have to add numerous injury replacements on hardship contracts throughout the season—hence the team picture featuring 16 players (18 have suited up this year). That all doesn't even factor in marquee free agent addition DeWanna Bonner appearing in only nine games with Indiana before she asked out and eventually landed with the Phoenix Mercury. So, one would understand why the pl