2025 WNBA Playoff Bracket, Standings After Fever Clinch Spot amid Caitlin Clark Injury

While they haven't reached the heights some were expecting, the Indiana Fever at least qualified for the WNBA playoffs for the second straight year.

Indiana punched its ticket on Sunday thanks to a 94-65 win over the Washington Mystics. At 23-20, the Fever sit seventh in the league standings.

WNBA Playoff Standings

1. Minnesota Lynx, 33-9**

2. Atlanta Dream, 28-14 (5 GB)*

3. Las Vegas Aces, 27-14 (5.5 GB)*

4. Phoenix Mercury, 27-15 (6 GB)*

5. New York Liberty, 25-17 (8 GB)*

6. Golden State Valkyries, 23-19 (10 GB)*

7. Indiana Fever, 23-20 (10.5 GB)*

8. Seattle Storm, 22-21 (11.5 GB)

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9. Los Angeles Sparks, 19-22 (13.5 GB)

* Denotes clinched playoff spot

** Denotes clinched best record in league

Calling this a lost season for the organization would be unfair. In addition of assuring itself of a playoff spot, it beat the Minnesota Lynx by 15 points in the final of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup.

Unless Indiana goes on an unexpectedly deep postseason run, that upset of the top-seeded Lynx will have a lot of fans wondering what could've been, though.

The Fever had an ambitious offseason. They hired Stephanie White, the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year. They signed six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner and 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Natasha Howard. The acquisition of Sophie Cunningham brought some floor-spacing.

After Caitlin Clark's historic rookie season helped to end the franchise's long playoff drought, Indiana was ready to take a big step forward.

A series of soft-tissue injuries to Clark resulted in a failure to launch, with her latest ailment ending her season:

As she battled injuries this season, she wasn't been as sharp compared to 2024 when she did take court. The 6'0" guard is averaging 16.5 points on just 36.7 percent shooting along with five rebounds and 8.8 assists in 13 games.

No team can achieve its short-term goals when its cornerstone talent misses more than half the season.

Compounding matters, Bonner was shifted to the second unit after three games and waived altogether in June.

"I want to sincerely thank the Indiana Fever for the opportunity to be part of the Fever franchise," she said after her exit. "Despite our shared goals and excitement heading into the season, I felt the fit did not work out and I appreciate the organization's willingness to grant my request to move on, particularly at this point in my career. I wish the Fever great success as they continue to build around this dynamic group of young players."

The fact the Fever are going to improve their record from last season despite those setbacks is a testament to White's coaching and the improvements general manager Amber Cox made to the roster.

Indiana remains on good long-term footing.

Clark's immense talent hasn't gone anywhere, and Aliyah Boston was an All-Star for the third successive season. Between that young tandem and having Young on the sideline, the Fever will be an attractive option for prospective free agents in the offseason.

Maybe the team can set the table even more for 2026 by providing a surprise or two in the playoffs.