While the WNBA and the players’ association, including Caitlin Clark, negotiate for a better deal, teams prepare for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever management has a few crucial questions to answer in the off-season. Two important pieces, Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham, will join the free agency this summer, and the team might look to keep the playoff-contending squad intact. However, fans have a new suggestion for the team management.
However, the Fever still has to overcome the final hurdle as they were defeated in the semifinals last season. Aliyah Boston, who will enter the final year of her 4-year rookie contract, led the franchise in rebounds and assists in 2025. Besides her work on the glass, the forward provided crucial playmaking and scoring help in the absence of Caitlin Clark last season.
To send some help to Boston in the backcourt, Fever fans pitched in Rhyne Howard’s name on social media. One wrote:
“Caitlin and Rhyne have insane chemistry.”
The comment seemed to highlight Team USA’s first game in the qualifiers of the FIBA World Cup against Senegal. Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard posted 17 and 21 points, respectively, and complemented each other while playing together. Team USA won the game, 110-46.
Another user was convinced of Clark and Howard pairing after a dominant performance in Clark’s debut with the senior national team, and wrote:
“Today was the best free agency recruiting Fever has ever done in the team’s history”
Clark has taken the Fever from a bottom-feeder in the standings to a title-contending team in just two seasons after being drafted by the team. Her impact was clearly visible on social media as fans went back and forth to recruit the dynamic guard to their favorite teams. A user wrote:
“every fanbase fighting to get caitlin on their team now”
Even though the cap structure of WNBA teams has yet to be finalized, the Fever will have the space to accommodate a contract, and someone like the 6-foot-2 guard can help Clark on the offense.
Caitlin Clark feels like “sucking air” in her return after injuries
Caitlin Clark was back on the court after she was sidelined in July 2025 due to her groin injuries. She missed the entire season, making her return in Team USA’s jersey even more special. It was also her debut game for the senior national team.
Clark felt the effects of the extended hiatus on her game, as she said:
“I feel like I had my wind pretty well. I felt like I was playing fast, and that was my goal. I know that’s what I can bring to this team.”
Caitlin Clark posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 assists, playing 19 minutes off the bench, on her return to the court after around seven months. Team USA has begun with a dominant win over Senegal, 110-46.
READ MORE: Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese Stats: Comparing WNBA Stars’ Team USA Basketball Numbers
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