INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 30: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 questions being called for a delay of game against the Dallas Wings during a preseason game on April 30, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 30 Preseason Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260434
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 30: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 questions being called for a delay of game against the Dallas Wings during a preseason game on April 30, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 30 Preseason Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260434
The Indiana Fever are starting to look like one of the WNBA's most dangerous teams. Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston are powering an offense that has been tough to slow down, and the Fever just added another statement win by beating the New York Liberty 106-92.
But if Indiana really wants to turn that offensive firepower into a championship, there is one major problem it still has to solve. The Fever have not been nearly as reliable on defense, and ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike believes that could ultimately decide how far this team goes.
"I said at the start of the year that the Indiana Fever could potentially win a championship. Now they have the seventh-best defense, so that's kind of a little bit better than the middle of the pack," Ogwumike said. "If they can improve that defense down the stretch, they are a real contender."
WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA 2024: Fever vs Sun SEP 22 September 22, 2024: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 looks on during game 1 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Erica Denhoff/CSM Credit Image: Â Erica Denhoff/Cal Media Uncasville Connecticut United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20240922_zma_c04_562.jpg EricaxDenhoffx csmphotothree309527
WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA 2024: Fever vs Sun SEP 22 September 22, 2024: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 looks on during game 1 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Erica Denhoff/CSM Credit Image: Â Erica Denhoff/Cal Media Uncasville Connecticut United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20240922_zma_c04_562.jpg EricaxDenhoffx csmphotothree309527
However, Ogwumike was positive on their offense. "Their offense is gonna carry them places and take them places, and I love their offense," Ogwumike added in an X post on ESPNW.
According to Grant Young of Sports Illustrated, the Fever's biggest strength is obvious every time their offense gets rolling. They are putting up 95.5 points per game, a pace that would set a new WNBA record, and they have already crossed the 100-point mark 15 times this season.
Tuesday's win over the Liberty showed just how explosive this group can be. Indiana knocked down 16 threes, including 11 in the first half, while Kelsey Mitchell scored 28 points and Caitlin Clark finished with 22 points and 10 assists.
Aliyah Boston chipped in 19 points as the Fever pulled away for a 106-92 win, according to Paolo Mariano of ClutchPoints.
Young also reported that Indiana is giving up 89.6 points per game, the fifth-worst mark in the league, and has already allowed 100 or more points nine times.
Against elite teams in the playoffs, those defensive lapses could become much harder to overcome.
Why the Fever's defense could keep them from winning the title
The warning signs appeared immediately. According to Tony East of IX Sports, Indiana scored 104 points against the Dallas Wings on opening night but still lost 107-104 after Dallas repeatedly found open shooters.
Kelsey Mitchell called for more discipline defensively, while head coach Stephanie White pointed to transition defense and fouling as problems.
Those issues could become even tougher to overcome in the playoffs. That is where Chiney Ogwumike's assessment comes in. "They're on a historic run and are on pace to set a record for most points per game as a team," Ogwumike said.
Indiana still has time to improve. East noted that Monique Billings' return and Lexie Hull getting back to a normal workload could help, while White has called the defensive issues correctable.
But the Fever cannot wait until the postseason to fix them. Their recent 7-2 run shows how dangerous the offense can be, yet the defense remains the biggest question mark.
Written by
Rudra Dubey
Edited by
Aadesh Dhote