Stat the Fever must improve if they want any shot at title contention in 2025

The Indiana Fever have one of the best players in the W. Caitlin Clark finished fourth in MVP voting and dominated Rookie of the Year as she set a new record for assists in a season. The 22-year-old is a next-level playmaker. She led the best offense in the league after the Olympic break, but the Fever were bounced by the Sun in the opening round of the playoffs.

Indiana wants to build a championship roster around Clark. They have already overhauled the front office with the legendary Kelly Krauskopf returning to run the show. Krauskopf constructed their 2012 title team and has a plan on building out their roster. The Fever certainly need experience, but they won’t go any further without a few specific boosts.

Indiana will keep having an elite offense with Clark running the show. She wants to play fast and creates a ton of open looks. There will be monster numbers, but the Fever cannot win without getting stops on the other end.

Fever need a top 5 defense to be a title contender in 2025

Indiana had the second-worst defensive rating in the W this season by allowing 107.5 points per 100 possessions. Only the Dallas Wings, who won just nine games, finished worse. The Fever were sandwiched between the franchises with the two worst records in the bottom three in defensive rating.

Only three teams had a defensive rating under 96 this season and two of them are in the WNBA Finals. Four of the top five defensive teams were in the semifinals, including each of the top three. It takes a strong defense to win at the highest level, and the Fever are nowhere near this group.

Indiana improved to tenth after the Olympic break, but that is still far from good enough. Having an elite offense creates some wiggle room, but being in the bottom half of the W in defense won’t cut it.

The Fever must upgrade their defensive scheme and personnel. They allowed too many open shots and easy buckets. Clark and Aliyah Boston must improve in 2025. Indiana should be searching for a lockdown perimeter option and four with versatility. Finding those players won’t be easy, especially when they would ideally be able to space the floor around Clark.

Head coach Christie Sides must create a more cohesive unit. The Fever just allowed teams to launch from 3-point range, and it often backfired. They must focus on contesting shots and making everything more difficult for the offense.

The Indiana Fever cannot be near the bottom in defensive rating and be a serious contender. Caitlin Clark must lock in and lead the way with everyone else following suit. It will take a team effort. Are the Fever up to the task? Everyone will soon find out.