The Indiana Fever’s 2024 preseason is officially in the books—and what a statement they’ve made. With a flawless 3-0 record, a rookie sensation living up to the hype, a fourth-quarter hero emerging from the bench, and a team chemistry that’s already drawing league-wide attention, the Fever have turned what’s normally a quiet tune-up into a headline-grabbing spectacle. But beneath the perfect record lies a story of resilience, drama, and a team on the verge of something special.

Clark’s Range Stuns the League

It’s hard to overstate the anticipation surrounding Caitlin Clark’s arrival in Indiana. The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer entered the WNBA with sky-high expectations, and in just three preseason games, she’s already leaving fans and analysts searching for new superlatives. Clark’s shooting has stretched the boundaries of what’s possible on a basketball court. One insider put it simply: “I think Caitlin Clark may have even increased her range. She is shooting the deep ones like they are nothing.”

Indeed, in the Fever’s final preseason game—a hard-fought 81-76 victory over the Atlanta Dream—Clark’s three-pointer from near the logo drew gasps from the crowd and instant comparisons to her iconic college moments. She finished the night with 13 points, seven assists, and six rebounds in just 23 minutes, all after a pregame injury scare that had fans across Indiana holding their breath.

A Scare and a Comeback

Just 24 hours before tip-off, news broke that Clark had collided with a practice player, aggravating a previously strained leg. Fever fans were glued to their phones, anxiously refreshing social feeds for updates. Would Clark miss her final preseason tune-up? Would this jeopardize her availability for the regular season opener?

The answer came just before game time: Clark was cleared to play—and not just play, but start. The injury scare quickly faded into the background as Clark took the floor with her trademark intensity, launching deep shots and orchestrating the offense with poise beyond her years.

Lexie Hull: The Fever’s Fourth-Quarter Weapon

While Clark’s star power draws the headlines, it was Lexie Hull who stole the show when it mattered most. Hull, who has embraced a new role off the bench this season, erupted for 11 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter, sealing the Fever’s perfect preseason with clutch shot after clutch shot. Her impact extended beyond scoring: Hull’s defensive energy sparked turnovers and fast-break opportunities, while her court awareness set up teammates for easy buckets.

Head coach Stephanie White praised Hull’s evolution, noting, “When you accept your role as Lexie does, you can’t allow it to put you in a box. Your role can change throughout the course of a season, and Lexie’s playing with such a high level of confidence.” Hull herself credited the Fever’s competitive practices and her experience in the Unrivaled three-on-three league for sharpening her skills and boosting her confidence.

Drama, Adversity, and Sportsmanship

The Fever’s preseason sweep wasn’t without its tense moments. Midway through the second quarter against Atlanta, Clark picked up her first technical foul of the preseason after a disputed no-call led to a turnover and a fast-break layup for the Dream. Clark’s frustration boiled over as she hurled the ball against the stanchion, but veteran Sophie Cunningham quickly stepped in, pulling Clark away before things could escalate. It was a telling moment of team chemistry: a rookie’s competitive fire tempered by a veteran’s steady hand.

Cunningham herself would later leave the game with a right ankle injury after landing awkwardly on an opponent’s foot. Though she was seen in a walking boot postgame—a standard precaution—her status for the regular season opener remains uncertain. Still, Cunningham’s own words (“I’ll be fine”) and the team’s immediate response offer hope that the setback won’t linger.

Amid the intensity, there were also moments of genuine sportsmanship. After the final buzzer, Clark and Brittney Griner—who saw limited action for Atlanta—shared a warm embrace, a gesture that resonated with fans and exemplified the respect that underpins the WNBA’s fiercest rivalries.

A Team Identity Emerges

What does Indiana’s perfect preseason really mean? On paper, it’s just three exhibition wins. But the Fever have revealed much more: a team with depth, resilience, and a rapidly developing identity. The chemistry between Clark, Hull, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and the rest of the roster has looked almost effortless at times. The emergence of Hull as a clutch performer off the bench gives Indiana a weapon few expected, and the team’s response to adversity—whether injury scares or technical fouls—suggests a maturity beyond their years.

Coach White isn’t planning a championship parade just yet, but she’s clear about the progress: “We want to see growth. We want to see how we’re able to utilize our depth, continue to see different combinations, and apply what we’ve done in practice.”

The Real Test Awaits

The Fever’s first true test comes May 17th at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a nationally televised showdown against the Chicago Sky. With Cunningham’s ankle still a question mark and opposing defenses sure to throw new challenges at Clark, the regular season will reveal whether this preseason momentum can survive the grind of WNBA competition.

But one thing is certain: the Indiana Fever have put the league on notice. With star power, depth, and a culture of resilience and respect, Indiana might just be building something special—sooner than anyone expected.