5 Biggest disappointments for the Indiana Fever in the 2024 season

The Indiana Fever had an unforgettable season. Caitlin Clark won Rookie of the Year and announced herself as a superstar. She finished fourth in MVP voting and completely changed the W. Clark brought thousands of new fans to the league and helped the Fever make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. It was amazing, and the Fever are just getting started.

The new front office led by Kelly Krauskopf plans on building their roster around Clark. They will play an up-tempo style but need more talent and depth to become a true title contender. The Fever have the most difficult piece to acquire. It is all about finding the right players to enhance their superstar.

The 2024 season was memorable, but it was not without disappointments. Indiana finished 20-20 and lost in the opening round of the playoffs. Here is a look at the biggest letdowns from Clark’s rookie campaign.

5. No home playoff game

Indiana made the postseason as the sixth seed, but never played on their home floor. It is a best-of-3 series in the first round of the playoffs, and the Sun got the first two games in Connecticut as the higher seed. They swept the Fever to ensure they did not have to come play in front of a sellout crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The WNBA changed the format for the 2025 season. It will now be the higher seed with games 1 and 3 at home to ensure every qualifying franchise plays on their floor.

The Fever were rightfully upset as they missed out on a massive payday and one final chance to excite the home crowd. Clark plans on playing multiple playoff games at Gainbridge next season, but sparking this change was a positive for the entire league.

4. Erica Wheeler heading to the bench

Wheeler was the Fever’s third-best player by win shares in 2023 and was their second-highest paid last season. They hoped for her to stick next to Clark, but it was clear the rookie needed the ball in her hands. Playing Kelsey Mitchell, Wheeler, and Clark together was problematic on the defensive end, which meant the veteran guard headed to the bench.

The 33-year-old embraced mentoring Clark, but it was disappointing to see her role limited. Wheeler was a key piece in the franchise jumping from five to 13 wins and helping them out of the basement.

She does not fit next to the Fever’s superstar, but Indiana would love to bring her back if she is willing to take less money to be their backup point guard.

3. NaLyssa Smith not fitting around Caitlin Clark

Smith was the Fever’s second-leading scorer in 2023, and the second overall draft pick in 2022 looked like a future star. She averaged 15.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 28.5 minutes per game in her second season. Indiana expected bigger things from the 6’4 forward in 2024.

Smith took a step backward as she struggled to fit around Clark. She averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.0 block in 24.8 minutes per game. Smith has an inconsistent jumper, and the Fever did not need her shot creation with the 22-year-old superstar running the show.

Smith started 37 of the 40 regular season games but was benched in the decisive Game 2 of their first-round series versus the Sun. It was clear she was not their best option, and the 24-year-old has likely played her final game with the Fever.

2. Losing in the first round of the playoffs

Indiana was one of the best teams in the W after the Olympic break. They were number one in offensive rating by 3.5 points per 100 possessions and finished in the top five in net rating as they won nine of their final 14 contests. It felt like the Fever could defeat any team and there was plenty of optimism entering the postseason.

The Sun were a matchup Indiana hoped to avoid. Connecticut won three of the four regular-season meetings, and their gritty and defensive style was a problematic for Clark and the Fever. It disappointedly ended in a sweep, and the Fever are still searching for their first playoff victory since 2015.

Failure breeds champions. Even all the all-time greats lose before they win. Clark’s first-round exit in year one was disappointing after their strong second-half run, but it will help mold and motivate her.

1. Katie Lou Samuelson struggling

The Fever signed Katie Lou to a two-year $355,250 contract, which made her the franchise's third-highest-paid player. Samuelson missed the entire 2023 season, but Indiana expected her to be a starter and key contributor around Caitlin Clark from opening night.

The 6’3 forward was not. She struggled to hit shots and was problematic on defense. Samuelson was completely out of the rotation in the playoffs. She averaged the seven-most minutes per game and was ninth in win shares per 48 minutes. It was a disastrous season that likely prevents the Fever from trading her this offseason.

The Indiana Fever had multiple disappointments, but this was a franchise-changing season. They are back in contention and hope to leap into the title picture in 2025. Clark is a superstar and just getting started. The Fever are here to stay. The rest of the league is on notice, and fans should enjoy every moment of it.