Fever Set for Playoff Return: Indiana's Potential Matchups in First Round

Photo byScott Horner Nat Newell

After a seven-year hiatus, the Indiana Fever are making their long-awaited return to the WNBA playoffs as the No. 6 seed, boasting a 20-19 record with one game left in the regular season. Spearheaded by standout rookie Caitlin Clark and dynamic scorer Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever are back in postseason contention for the first time since 2016, marking a remarkable turnaround for the franchise.

The Fever’s resurgence this season signals a significant shift in Indiana's basketball narrative. With their first winning season since 2016 and a .500-plus record, Indiana is poised to challenge some of the WNBA’s top teams.

Who Will the Fever Face?

The Fever’s No. 6 seed sets them up for a first-round clash with the No. 3 seed in the best-of-three playoff format. With the regular season winding down, the Fever’s potential opponents are taking shape, with three key teams in the mix: the Connecticut Sun, Minnesota Lynx, and Las Vegas Aces.

• Connecticut Sun (27-11): Currently the third seed, the Sun have dominated the Fever throughout the season, winning three of their four matchups. However, Indiana’s lone victory came in their most recent contest following the Olympic break, showing that the Fever can rise to the challenge when it matters most.
• Minnesota Lynx (29-9): The Lynx, who have already secured the No. 2 seed, are another possible contender. They have taken two of three games from Indiana this season, with both victories coming after the Olympic break. The Fever will need to find an answer for the Lynx’s post-break surge if this matchup materializes.
• Las Vegas Aces (25-13): Should the standings shift, the Fever could face the Aces, who swept Indiana in their four meetings this season, including two decisive wins just last week. Facing Las Vegas will be a tough test for the Fever, who have yet to crack their defense.

A Playoff Format with Stakes

In the WNBA’s unique playoff structure, the higher seed hosts two home games in the best-of-three series, while the lower seed gets one home game should the series extend to three games. As a lower seed, the Fever will need to make the most of their opportunities on the road. Should they advance, the semifinals and finals move to a best-of-five format, offering more room for redemption or domination.

Indiana Fever’s journey back into the postseason is not only a testament to the team’s perseverance but also the spark of a new era for women’s basketball in Indiana. With a mixture of youthful energy and veteran leadership, they are ready to challenge the league’s elite. Whether facing the Sun, Lynx, or Aces, Indiana will need to harness their momentum and capitalize on their recent successes to make a deep playoff run.

What’s Next?

While their opponent is still uncertain, one thing is clear—the Fever are back, and they are ready to fight. With their playoff drought officially over, the team is looking to make waves in the 2024 WNBA postseason. Indiana’s fans have waited years for this moment, and now, with a fresh core and renewed confidence, the Fever are positioned to surprise.