Caitlin Clark Shares Message to Fever Following Playoff Exit
Caitlin Clark watched from the sidelines as the Indiana Fever fell just short in Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals on Tuesday, losing a hard-fought overtime battle to the Las Vegas Aces, 107–98.
Clark, who missed much of the season due to injury, was deactivated before the postseason to prioritize her long-term health. With tempered expectations, the Fever entered the playoffs barely clinging to a lower seed, yet made an inspiring run to the semifinals before narrowly missing a shot at the WNBA Finals.
“So much to be proud of. Shoutout to the fans for staying with us all year,” Clark posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Clark took the league by storm in her rookie campaign, earning Rookie of the Year honors and quickly becoming a standout star. Her sophomore season in 2025 started strong but was ultimately derailed by injuries.
If she returns healthy in 2026, the Fever are expected to be serious title contenders. This year’s squad reached the brink of the Finals despite being without several key players besides Clark, including Aari McDonald, Chloe Bibby, Damiris Dantas, and Sydney Colson.
Coach Stephanie White Praises Team’s Resilience
Despite the loss, Fever head coach Stephanie White expressed immense pride in her players, who fought valiantly against an Aces team led by many of their 2023 championship core.
“They showed what it means to keep pushing forward,” White said. “To persevere, to welcome teammates, to rise above challenges, to lead with grace and sacrifice for a common goal. I’m incredibly thankful to coach these women and to have gone through this journey with them.”
Aliyah Boston Looks Ahead to 2026
Aliyah Boston, the Fever’s top pick in 2023, is already focused on the future. The third-year forward emerged as a key leader this season and believes the team’s potential is just beginning to take shape.
“This has been my best year yet,” Boston said. “The bond we formed, the joy on and off the court—it’s been really special. These women became my sisters, and we’re always going to be connected.”
Boston is determined to use the semifinal loss as motivation going into 2026, with hopes of a full-strength roster returning.
“You can’t dwell on it,” she added. “But watching the championship games is only going to make us hungrier. We’re already getting our minds right for next year.”
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