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Indiana Fever

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Indiana Fever
2024 Indiana Fever season
Indiana Fever logo
ConferenceEastern
LeaguesWNBA
FoundedJune 7, 1999; 25 years ago (1999-06-07)[1]
HistoryIndiana Fever
2000–present
ArenaGainbridge Fieldhouse
LocationIndianapolis, Indiana
Team colorsNavy blue, red, gold[2][3][4]
     
Main sponsorSalesforce
PresidentKelly Krauskopf
General managerAmber Cox
Head coachStephanie White
Assistant(s)Tully Bevilaqua
Karima Christmas-Kelly
Jessie Miller
Paul Miller
OwnershipHerb Simon
Championships1 (2012)
Conference titles3 (2009, 2012, 2015)
Retired numbers1 (24)
Websitefever.wnba.com
Heroine jersey
Team colours
Heroine
Explorer jersey
Team colours
Explorer
Rebel jersey
Team colours
Rebel

The Indiana Fever are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded before the 2000 season began. The team is owned by Herb Simon, the founder of Simon Property Group, who also owns the Fever's NBA counterpart, the Indiana Pacers.[5]

The Fever have qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in 13 of its 24 seasons in Indiana. In 2009, the Fever reached the WNBA Finals but fell short to the Phoenix Mercury in game 5. In 2012, the Fever won the WNBA Finals with a 3–1 series victory over the Minnesota Lynx. Tamika Catchings was named the 2012 Finals MVP. In 2015, the Fever again reached the WNBA Finals but fell short to Minnesota in game 5.

Some of the players who have helped define the history of the Fever include Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas, Briann January, Natalie Williams, Yolanda Griffith, Shavonte Zellous, Tully Bevilaqua, Tammy Sutton-Brown, Candice Dupree, Cappie Pondexter, Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark.

History

[edit]

2000–2004

[edit]
Lobby of Gainbridge Fieldhouse

The Indiana Fever team began in 2000, when the state was granted an expansion franchise to coincide with the opening of Gainbridge Fieldhouse (then Conseco Fieldhouse). In their first two seasons, they were coached by women's basketball legends Anne Donovan and Nell Fortner. Led by center Kara Wolters, in their inaugural campaign the team posted a record of 9–23.

The Fever drafted University of Tennessee star Tamika Catchings in the 2001 WNBA Draft. The Fever went into the year with high expectations of a playoff berth, but Catchings tore her ACL during a college game and missed the entire WNBA season. The Fever posted a 10–22 record in 2001.

After missing the entire 2001 season, the 2002 season proved to be the breakout season for Tamika Catchings and the Fever. Catchings came out strong and became one of the most versatile players in the WNBA, easily winning Rookie of the Year honors as well as making the WNBA All-Star team. Her team competed well all year and posted a respectable 16–16 record, tying for the final playoff spot with the Orlando Miracle. Indiana won the tiebreaker and earned their first playoff appearance in franchise history. They drew the #1 seed in the playoffs, the Liberty; with the Fever losing two games to one.

The 2002–2003 offseason brought a lot of change for the Fever. The team added Olympian Natalie Williams and Charlotte Sting star Kelly Miller before the 2003 season. During the offseason the original coach and GM Nell Fortner resigned. Kelly Krauskopf replaced Fortner as GM and immediately hired Brian Winters to be the head coach. On May 29, 2003, the Fever registered their first sellout of 18,345 and defeated the Washington Mystics on national television. The team did better under the new coaching, but missed the playoffs, posting a 16–18 record.

The 2004 campaign was very similar to 2003's. The Fever finished with a 15–19 record. They missed the playoffs by one game in the Eastern Conference.

2005–2007

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In 2005, the Fever had their best season since joining the league, posting a 21–13 record, and making the playoffs for just the second time. In the first round, the Fever swept the New York Liberty two games to none, earning their first playoff series victory in franchise history. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Fever faced the heavily favored Connecticut Sun. Game 1 came down to the final seconds when Katie Douglas hit a crucial three to win the game for the Sun. Game 2 went into overtime, with the Sun winning, thus sweeping the Fever two games to none.

In the 2005–2006 offseason, the Fever acquired All-Star Anna DeForge from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Kelly Miller. Later that offseason the Fever made another All-Star addition by signing free agent Tamika Whitmore from the Los Angeles Sparks. In the 2006 WNBA draft they selected athletic swing-forward La'Tangela Atkinson from the North Carolina Tar Heels along with Kasha Terry from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Fever

The Fever started the 2006 season off at 4–0 and jumped out to an early lead in the Eastern Conference standings. Teammates Tamika Catchings and Tully Bevilaqua led the league in steals, first and second respectively, the first time teammates led the league in one statistical category. The Fever posted a 21–13 record, making the playoffs for the second year in a row. In the first round, the Fever faced archrival Detroit. Detroit won Game 1 in Indianapolis and held a one-game to nothing lead in the series. Game 2 in Detroit was a high-scoring affair with Tamika Whitmore scoring a WNBA Playoff record 41 points. Detroit won in the end, 98–83 and won the series two games to none.

Going into the 2006–2007 off-season, the Fever looked to improve their post play. In the Dispersal Draft, the Fever added veteran forward Sheri Sam from the Charlotte Sting. Kelly Krauskopf and the front office then set their eyes on key Free Agent Center Tammy Sutton-Brown, signing her on March 22, 2007. The Fever also selected 6–7 center Alison Bales from Duke University in the 2007 WNBA draft to go along with Sutton-Brown.

Going into the 2007 season, the Fever had their eyes set on the WNBA Finals. They started off the season strong, winning 16 out of their first 20 games, which was the best 20 game start in history of the Eastern Conference. Then on July 20, key player Tamika Catchings injured her foot causing her to miss the rest of the regular season. The injury was later revealed as a partial tear of her plantar fascia. The Fever finished 5–9 without Catchings. They won the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, beating out the Connecticut Sun. They played the same Sun team in first round of the playoffs. Game 1 in Connecticut was an epic battle, going three overtimes with the Sun hanging on to win Game 1, 93–88. The Fever won Game 2 at home by double digits forcing a decisive Game 3. In game 3, the Fever found themselves down by 22 points late halfway through the 3rd quarter. The Fever battled back to win Game 3 in overtime by the same score as Game 1 93–88. The 22-point comeback was the largest comeback in WNBA Playoff history. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Fever played their other hated rival, the Detroit Shock. The Fever grabbed an early lead in the series, winning Game 1 at Conseco Fieldhouse. With the team just 1 game away from the WNBA Finals the Fever traveled to Detroit. In Game 2, the game was close until the 2nd quarter, when the Shock blew the game wide open with a 14–0 run, easily winning the game. With a spot in the Finals up for grabs in Game 3, the Fever started off the game with an early 17–3 lead. Then late in the first half Catchings went down with another injury; she had completely torn her Achilles tendon. The Shock ended up winning Game 3, 85–61.

2008

[edit]

On October 26, 2007, the Fever announced that they declined the option for head coach Brian Winters, ending his four-year tenure in charge.[6] He compiled a 78–58 regular season record with a 5–7 playoff record. On December 12, 2007, assistant coach Lin Dunn was named his successor to the job as head coach.[7]

In one of the biggest trades in WNBA history, the Fever traded Tamika Whitmore and their first-round pick in the 2008 WNBA draft for Indianapolis native, Katie Douglas on February 19, 2008.[8]

The Fever were part of the Liberty Outdoor Classic, which was the first regular-season professional basketball game played outdoors. It was played between the Fever and New York Liberty at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York on July 19, 2008, with the Fever winning the game, 71–55.

During the 2008 season, the Fever struggled in comparison to the three previous seasons. They finished with a 17–17 record, good for fourth place in the playoffs. Meeting the Detroit Shock in the first round, the Fever lost in three games.

2009–2012

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Barack Obama holding up a jersey, smiling, surrounded by the Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever in 2013, visiting the White House upon winning their first WNBA championship.

After a disappointing 2008 season, the Fever were looking to improve in 2009. Indiana Pacers owners had said the Fever have been losing money. The only thing to save the Fever from folding in the near future, the owners inferred, was for the Fever to be successful on the court and at the box office. The Fever took the owners' ultimatum to heart and reached the playoffs as the first seed overall in the Eastern Conference with a franchise best record of 22–12. In the first round, the Fever ousted the Washington Mystics in a sweep, marking their return to the conference finals. In the East finals, again facing their rival Detroit Shock, they reached their first ever WNBA Finals by defeating the Shock in three games. The Fever then lost in 5 games to the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.

Because of the success in 2009, the Fever announced they would remain in Indianapolis for 2010. Their 2011 season in Indianapolis was also confirmed as well.

In 2012, the Fever advanced to the 2012 WNBA Finals. Indiana then defeated the Minnesota Lynx, 3 games to 1. It was the Fever's first WNBA title.

2012–2016

[edit]

After the Fever won the 2012 WNBA championship, the ownership group took notice of their management – by promoting general manager Kelly Krauskopf to president of the franchise.[9] Krauskopf has been giving additional duties within the franchise as well as a pay increase.[10] The Fever competed for another title in 2015, reaching the finals for the third time in franchise history, but fell short losing to the Minnesota Lynx in five games. In 2016, the Fever made it to the playoffs for the 12th consecutive time (the current WNBA record for most consecutive playoff appearances by a team).[11] However, the Fever were upset in the first round elimination game against the Phoenix Mercury after the league's new playoff format was in effect. This game also marked the final game of Tamika Catchings's playing career; she had been known as the Fever's franchise player since 2002.

2016–2023

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Two Indiana Fever players trying to get a ball with a Minnesota Lynx player among them
The Indiana Fever versus the Minnesota Lynx on June 9, 2023 with Aliyah Boston blocking Tiffany Mitchell.

On November 18, 2016, it was announced that the Fever hired Pokey Chatman as their new head coach.[12] In February 2017, the Fever traded for five-time all-star Candice Dupree along with the Mercury's 2017 first-round pick in a three-team deal that sent Camille Little and Jillian Alleyne to the Mercury and the Connecticut Sun receiving the 8th overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft along with Lynetta Kizer from the Fever.[13] Despite acquiring a veteran all-star forward and a new head coach, the Fever would have one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. On August 12, 2017, the Fever were defeated 111–52 by the Minnesota Lynx, making it the largest margin of defeat in WNBA history, in which they allowed a league record 37–0 scoring run during the game.[14] The Fever finished with the second-worst record in the league of 9–25 in their first season after Catchings's retirement, ending their streak of 12 consecutive playoff seasons.[15]

In 2018, disappointment continued for the Fever as they rebuilt their team. They finished in last place, this time with a 6–28 record. On March 4, 2019, Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced Allison Barber, a graduate of Tennessee Temple University and Indiana University, as the new president and chief operating officer of the Fever, while Catchings was named vice president of Fever Basketball Operations.[16] They wound up with the third selection in the 2019 WNBA draft, selecting Teaira McCowan from Mississippi State. The 2019 season saw some improvement, but the team nonetheless finished 13–21, two games behind the last playoff spot. After the season, coach and general manager Pokey Chatman was fired.[17]

On November 27, 2019, Marianne Stanley was introduced as the head coach of the Indiana Fever, making her the seventh coach in the franchise's 20-year WNBA history. In addition, it was also announced that Catchings would be promoted to general manager.[18]

Near the end of the 2019 season, the Fever announced that they would move their home games to Butler University's Hinkle Fieldhouse for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, plus at least part of the 2022 season, to accommodate renovations of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The team planned to return to the renamed Gainbridge Fieldhouse upon project completion.[19] However, the 2020 WNBA season was played in IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the 2021 season, the Fever played their first four home games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, before playing the remaining home games at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.[20]

On February 14, 2022, Tamika Catchings stepped down as the vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the Indiana Fever.[21]

On February 24, 2022, former Fever coach Lin Dunn, who guided the team to a WNBA title in 2012, was introduced as the franchise’s interim general manager and senior advisor for Fever basketball operations.[22]

The franchise generally struggled in 2022 and 2023, earning the top WNBA draft pick in the following seasons. In 2023, the Fever chose South Carolina's Aliyah Boston with their first choice; the next season, amidst the raging popularity of women's basketball at the collegiate level, the Fever chose Iowa's Caitlin Clark first overall. Drafting Clark in the latter season led to a surge of interest in the team and the WNBA in general, with TV ratings for the 2024 WNBA draft (at 2.5 million) overshadowing actual games played over the prior 25 seasons.[23]

2024–present: Caitlin Clark era

[edit]

In the first season with Clark on the roster, the Fever had a dramatic turnaround, going an even 20–20 during the 2024 regular season and making their first playoff since 2016. Clark averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.4 assists per game, becoming the first true rookie to do so in league history. [24] Teammates Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston also displayed strong statistics.[25] In large part due to Clark, the Fever drew over 17,000 fans to home games in 2024, actually beating their men's counterpart, the Pacers, on an average basis (though the Pacers play 20 more home games);[26] they also drew strongly on the road.[27] In addition, the Clark effect saw the Fever set virtually all of the new WNBA television records, recording figures oftentimes not seen since their start in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[28] The sixth-seeded Fever fell to the Connecticut Sun, the first opponent in the Clark era, in a two-game playoff sweep.

Uniforms

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  • 2000–2006: The home jerseys were white with red, dark blue and yellow on the sides. On the front, Fever was written across. The road jersey were dark blue with red and yellow on the sides. Indiana in red letters trimmed with white on the chest.
  • 2007–2010: Home jerseys are white with blue and yellow strips/trim from the neck down the side. Fever is written in red across the front and on the back the player name is written in all dark blue under the number also in red trimmed in dark blue. The new road jerseys are dark blue with yellow and white trim/strips. Indiana is written on the front in red with white trim and on the back the number is in red with white trim with the player's name underneath in all white. Each jersey has the Fever's alternate logo at the top on the back.
  • 2011–2012: As part of the move to Adidas's Revolution 30 technology, the Fever made subtle changes to the uniforms. Home uniforms remain white, but the 'Fever' wordmark is now written in navy with red and yellow trim. Numbers are now rounded and in red. Away uniforms remain unchanged save for the striping patterns and rounded numbers.
  • 2013–2015: On October 19, 2012, the Fever announced that Finish Line will be their uniform sponsor, beginning with the 2013 season. The uniform stayed the same aside from a new number scheme and the addition of the uniform sponsor.
  • 2016: As part of a league-wide initiative for its 20th season, all games featured all-color uniform matchups. Therefore, the Fever unveiled a yellow jersey as a light-colored uniform to complement its standard navy uniform.
  • 2019: The Fever announced Salesforce as their uniform sponsor, replacing Finish Line. Along with all other WNBA team uniforms, the front of the jersey prominently features both Salesforce and AT&T, a new partner for the WNBA. The number of the player is now just on the back of the jersey.

Season-by-season records

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Indiana Fever season-by-season records
Season Team Conference Regular season Playoff Results Head coach
W L PCT
2000 2000 East 7th 9 23 .281 Did not qualify Anne Donovan
2001 2001 East 6th 10 22 .313 Did not qualify Nell Fortner
2002 2002 East 4th 16 16 .500 Lost Conference Semifinals (New York, 1–2) Nell Fortner
2003 2003 East 5th 16 18 .471 Did not qualify Nell Fortner
2004 2004 East 6th 15 19 .441 Did not qualify Brian Winters
2005 2005 East 2nd 21 13 .618 Won Conference Semifinals (New York, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Connecticut, 0–2) 		Brian Winters
2006 2006 East 3rd 21 13 .618 Lost Conference Semifinals (Detroit, 0–2) Brian Winters
2007 2007 East 2nd 21 13 .618 Won Conference Semifinals (Connecticut, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit, 1–2) 		Brian Winters
2008 2008 East 4th 17 17 .500 Lost Conference Semifinals (Detroit, 1–2) Lin Dunn
2009 2009 East 1st 22 12 .647 Won Conference Semifinals (Washington, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (Detroit, 2–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Phoenix, 2–3) 		Lin Dunn
2010 2010 East 3rd 21 13 .618 Lost Conference Semifinals (New York, 1–2) Lin Dunn
2011 2011 East 1st 21 13 .618 Won Conference Semifinals (New York, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Atlanta, 1–2) 		Lin Dunn
2012 2012 East 2nd 22 12 .647 Won Conference Semifinals (Atlanta, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (Connecticut, 2–1)
Won WNBA Finals (Minnesota, 3–1) 		Lin Dunn
2013 2013 East 4th 16 18 .471 Won Conference Semifinals (Chicago, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Atlanta, 0–2) 		Lin Dunn
2014 2014 East 2nd 16 18 .471 Won Conference Semifinals (Washington, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Chicago, 1–2) 		Lin Dunn
2015 2015 East 3rd 20 14 .588 Won Conference Semifinals (Chicago, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (New York, 2–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Minnesota, 2–3) 		Stephanie White
2016 2016 East 3rd 17 17 .500 Lost First Round (Phoenix, 0–1) Stephanie White
2017 2017 East 6th 9 25 .265 Did not qualify Pokey Chatman
2018 2018 East 6th 6 28 .176 Did not qualify Pokey Chatman
2019 2019 East 4th 13 21 .382 Did not qualify Pokey Chatman
2020 2020 East 5th 6 16 .273 Did not qualify Marianne Stanley
2021 2021 East 6th 6 26 .188 Did not qualify Marianne Stanley
2022 2022 East 6th 5 31 .139 Did not qualify Marianne Stanley (2–7)
Carlos Knox (3–24)
2023 2023 East 6th 13 27 .325 Did not qualify Christie Sides
2024 2024 East 3rd 20 20 .500 Lost First Round (Connecticut, 0–2) Christie Sides
Regular season 379 465 .449 3 Conference Championships
Playoffs 35 33 .515 1 WNBA Championship

Players

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Current roster

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Indiana Fever roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G34United StatesBerger, Grace6' 0" (1.83m)160 lb (73kg)1999-06-03Indiana1
F/C7United StatesBoston, Aliyah6' 5" (1.96m)220 lb (100kg)2001-12-11South Carolina1
G22United StatesClark, Caitlin6' 0" (1.83m)155 lb (70kg)2002-01-22IowaR
F12BrazilDantas, Damiris6' 3" (1.91m)214 lb (97kg)1992-11-17Real Celta Vigo8
C14United KingdomFagbenle, Temi6' 4" (1.93m)180 lb (82kg)1992-09-08USC3
G10United StatesHull, Lexie6' 1" (1.85m)155 lb (70kg)1999-09-13Stanford2
G0United StatesMitchell, Kelsey5' 8" (1.73m)160 lb (73kg)1995-11-12Ohio State6
F33United StatesSamuelson, Katie Lou6' 3" (1.91m)163 lb (74kg)1997-06-13Connecticut4
F5United StatesSaxton, Victaria6' 2" (1.88m)181 lb (82kg)1999-11-10South Carolina1
F1United StatesSmith, NaLyssa6' 4" (1.93m)185 lb (84kg)2000-08-08Baylor2
G3AustraliaWallace, Kristy5' 11" (1.8m)157 lb (71kg)1996-01-03Baylor2
G17United StatesWheeler, Erica5' 7" (1.7m)143 lb (65kg)1991-05-02Rutgers8
Head coach
United States Stephanie White (Purdue)
Assistant coaches
United States Karima Christmas-Kelly (Duke)
United States Jessie Miller (UIC)
United States Paul Miller (Lake Forest College)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured
  WNBA roster page
East
ATL
CHI
CON
IND
NY
WAS
West
DAL
LV
LA
MIN
PHO
SEA

Former players

[edit]

Retired numbers

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Indiana Fever retired numbers
No. Player Position Tenure
24 Tamika Catchings SF 2002–16[29]

Basketball Hall of Fame

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Main article: Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Indiana Fever Hall of Famers
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
15 Nikki McCray-Penson PG 2002–2003 2012
33 Yolanda Griffith C 2009 2014
12 Natalie Williams PF 2003–2005 2016
52 Kara Wolters C 2000 2017
24 Tamika Catchings SF 2002–2016 2020
Coaches
– Anne Donovan Interim 2000 1999
– Marianne Stanley Head 2020–2022 2002
– Lin Dunn Asst./Head 2004–2014 2014
– Gail Goestenkors Asst. 2015 2015
– Mickie DeMoss Asst. 2012–2014 2018
Contributors
– Debbie Antonelli Announcer 2000–present 2022

Coaches and staff

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Owners

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Head coaches

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Indiana Fever head coaches
Name Start End Seasons Regular season Playoffs
W L PCT G W L PCT G
Anne Donovan August 17, 1999 end of 2000 1 9 23 .281 32 0 0 .000 0
Nell Fortner August 17, 1999 September 26, 2003 3 42 56 .429 98 1 2 .333 3
Brian Winters December 11, 2003 October 26, 2007 4 78 58 .574 136 5 7 .417 12
Lin Dunn December 12, 2007 end of 2014 7 135 103 .567 238 23 18 .561 41
Stephanie White September 23, 2014 end of 2016 2 37 31 .544 68 6 6 .500 12
Pokey Chatman November 18, 2016 September 9, 2019 3 28 74 .275 102 0 0 0 0
Marianne Stanley November 27, 2019 May 25, 2022 3 14 49 .222 63 0 0 0 0
Carlos Knox May 25, 2022 August 31, 2022 1 3 24 .111 27 0 0 0 0
Christie Sides November 4, 2022 October 27, 2024 2 33 47 .413 80 0 2 .000 2

General managers

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Assistant coaches

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Statistics

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Indiana Fever statistics
2000s
Season Individual Team vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2000 K. Wolters (11.9) K. Wolters (5.3) R. Williams (3.2) 69.2 vs 71.6 29.1 vs 29.8 .433 vs .449
2001 R. Williams (11.9) J. Streimikyte (5.1) R. Williams (3.6) 67.3 vs 70.3 29.2 vs 30.2 .418 vs .449
2002 T. Catchings (18.6) T. Catchings (8.6) T. Catchings (3.7) 65.5 vs 66.5 29.6 vs 29.1 .401 vs .442
2003 T. Catchings (19.7) T. Catchings (8.0) T. Catchings (3.4) 68.7 vs 68.3 29.1 vs 29.0 .417 vs .439
2004 T. Catchings (16.7) T. Catchings (7.3) T. Catchings (3.4) 64.6 vs 66.0 32.4 vs 28.5 .393 vs .431
2005 T. Catchings (14.7) T. Catchings (7.8) T. Catchings (4.2) 63.8 vs 62.7 29.8 vs 29.1 .400 vs .431
2006 T. Catchings (16.3) T. Catchings (7.5) T. Catchings (3.7) 71.6 vs 68.1 32.2 vs 31.2 .407 vs .432
2007 T. Catchings (16.6) T. Catchings (9.0) T. Catchings (4.7) 72.9 vs 69.7 33.9 vs 34.2 .419 vs .402
2008 K. Douglas (15.6) E. Hoffman (7.8) T. Catchings (3.3) 72.7 vs 72.3 33.1 vs 34.4 .402 vs .419
2009 K. Douglas (17.6) T. Catchings (7.2) T. Catchings (3.1) 76.6 vs 73.6 33.0 vs 34.3 .402 vs .429
2010s
Season Individual Team vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2010 T. Catchings (18.2) T. Catchings (7.1) T. Catchings (4.0) 78.3 vs 74.1 32.5 vs 33.0 .438 vs .416
2011 T. Catchings (15.5) T. Catchings (7.1) T. Catchings (3.5) 77.7 vs 73.8 31.6 vs 33.4 .443 vs .424
2012 T. Catchings (17.4) T. Catchings (7.6) B. January (3.9) 78.3 vs 72.3 32.2 vs 34.4 .418 vs .429
2013 T. Catchings (17.7) E. Larkins (7.8) B. January (3.7) 70.8 vs 70.5 32.0 vs 33.6 .393 vs .437
2014 T. Catchings (16.1) E. Larkins (9.2) B. January (3.7) 74.1 vs 75.1 32.3 vs 31.9 .418 vs .443
2015 T. Catchings (13.1) T. Catchings (7.1) B. January (3.4) 77.7 vs 75.8 32.4 vs 32.8 .424 vs .440
2016 T. Catchings (12.9) E. Larkins (7.4) B. January (4.7) 80.5 vs 80.9 30.9 vs 31.5 .447 vs .467
2017 C. Dupree (15.0) C. Dupree (5.8) E. Wheeler (4.1) 75.1 vs 84.3 28.2 vs 35.2 .429 vs .473
2018 C. Dupree (14.2) N. Achonwa (6.9) E. Wheeler (4.1) 76.4 vs 85.7 33.0 vs 37.0 .406 vs .473
2019 K. Mitchell (13.6) T. McCowan (9.0) E. Wheeler (5.0) 77.6 vs 80.3 35.1 vs 34.7 .422 vs .422
2020s
Season Individual Team vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2020 K. Mitchell (17.9) T. McCowan (7.3) J. Allemand (5.8) 81.7 vs 89.5 33.7 vs 32.7 .442 vs .472
2021 K. Mitchell (17.8) T. McCowan (9.8) D. Robinson (3.7) 75.3 vs 85.1 34.3 vs 33.4 .416 vs .459
2022 K. Mitchell (18.4) N. Smith (7.9) K. Mitchell (4.2) 78.0 vs 89.1 33.3 vs 35.8 .409 vs .474
2023 K. Mitchell (18.2) N. Smith (9.2) E. Wheeler (5.0) 81.0 vs 85.1 34.0 vs 32.5 .442 vs .445
2024 C. Clark (19.2) A. Boston (8.9) C. Clark (8.4) 85.0 vs 87.7 35.1 vs 33.6 .456 vs .441

Media coverage

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Tegna Inc. holds the television rights to the Fever. Games air on WTHR, WTHR-DT3 or WALV-CD in Indianapolis, WCIX or WCIA in Champaign-Springfield, WXIX-DT3 in Cincinnati, WQAD-TV or WQAD-DT3 in Davenport, WKEF-DT3 in Dayton, WOI-TV or KCWI-TV in Des Moines, WFIE-DT2 in Evansville, WPTA-DT3 in Fort Wayne, WPBY-LD or WPBY-DT2 in Lafayette, WKYT-DT2 in Lexington, WHAS-TV or WHAS-DT2 in Louisville, and WCWW-LD, WMYS-LD or WNDU-DT2 in South Bend.[33] Broadcasters for the Fever games are Pat Boylan, Debbie Antonelli, and Tully Bevilaqua.[34] Select games air nationally on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Ion Television, NBA TV, CBS, and CBS Sports Network.[35]

Chris Denari served as the team's Play-by-Play Announcer from 2000 to 2017 before stepping down.

All-time notes

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Regular season attendance

[edit]
  • A sellout for a basketball game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is:
    • 18,345 from 2000 to 2006.
    • 18,165 from 2007 to 2016.
    • 17,923 from 2017 to 2021.
  • A sellout at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, the team's home during part of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, is 6,800.
  • A sellout at Hinkle Fieldhouse, the team's home for the end of the 2022 season, is 9,100.
Regular season all-time attendance
Year Average High Low Sellouts Total for year WNBA average
2000 11,267 (4th) 13,178 9,006 0 180,270 9,074
2001 8,683 (8th) 15,198 7,021 0 138,922 9,075
2002 8,434 (9th) 15,488 5,670 0 134,945 9,228
2003 8,340 (8th) 18,345 5,927 1 141,778 8,800
2004 7,589 (10th) 9,656 6,112 0 129,018 8,613
2005 8,382 (7th) 9,823 6,597 0 142,494 8,172
2006 7,204 (10th) 9,312 5,554 0 122,468 7,476
2007 7,227 (11th) 10,542 5,058 0 122,855 7,742
2008 7,702 (10th) 10,533 6,010 0 130,941 7,948
2009 7,939 (6th) 10,050 5,904 0 134,964 8,039
2010 8,265 (6th) 10,076 6,853 0 140,504 7,834
2011 8,052 (7th) 11,521 6,024 0 136,915 7,954
2012 7,582 (6th) 9,403 6,041 0 128,897 7,452
2013 8,164 (4th) 10,756 6,283 0 138,795 7,531
2014 7,900 (6th) 10,625 5,632 0 134,306 7,578
2015 7,485 (5th) 12,189 6,433 0 127,244 7,183
2016 8,575 (5th) 17,704 6,524 0 145,771 7,655
2017 7,538 (7th) 12,282 5,702 0 128,141 7,716
2018 6,311 (7th) 10,006 4,415 0 107,295 6,721
2019 5,887 (7th) 9,247 3,336 0 100,078 6,535
2020 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was played in Bradenton, Florida without fans.[36][37]
2021 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fever did not allow fans. 2,636
2022 1,776 (12th) 3,212 960 0 31,964 5,679
2023 4,067 (11th) 7,356 2,450 0 81,336 6,615
2024 17,036 (1st) 17,274 15,022 16 340,715 9,807

Draft picks

[edit]

Trades

[edit]
  • December 15, 1999: The Fever acquired Monica Maxwell from the Washington Mystics in exchange for agreeing to select Nyree Roberts in the expansion draft.
  • December 15, 1999: The Fever traded Sandy Brondello and a first-round pick in the 2000 Draft to the Miami Sol in exchange for Stephanie White.
  • April 25, 2000: The Fever traded Latina Davis and Renee Robinson to the Houston Comets in exchange for Latavia Coleman.
  • April 11, 2001: The Fever traded Kara Wolters to the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2001 Draft.
  • May 27, 2001: The Fever traded a second-round pick in the 2002 Draft to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Olympia Scott and a third-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
  • December 5, 2001: The Fever traded Angie Braziel to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Nikki McCray and the right to swap second- and fourth-round picks in the 2002 Draft.
  • March 4, 2002: The Fever traded Gordana Grubin to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Bridget Pettis and a first-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
  • July 20, 2002: The Fever traded Rita Williams to the Houston Comets in exchange for Coquese Washington.
  • May 1, 2003: The Fever traded Sylvia Crawley and Gwen Jackson to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Coretta Brown and Natalie Williams.
  • February 5, 2004: The Fever traded the 3rd overall and the 18th overall picks in the 2004 Draft to the Charlotte Sting in exchange for Kelly Miller and the 9th overall pick in the 2004 Draft.
  • February 3, 2006: The Fever traded Kelly Miller to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Anna DeForge.
  • February 24, 2006: The Fever traded Kelly Schumacher and the 12th overall pick in the 2006 Draft to the New York Liberty in exchange for the 9th overall pick in the 2006 Draft.
  • March 7, 2007: The Fever traded Olympia Scott to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Ann Strother.
  • March 23, 2007: The Fever traded La'Tangela Atkinson to the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2008 Draft.
  • February 19, 2008: The Fever traded Tamika Whitmore, the 9th overall pick in the 2008 Draft and the rights to Jessica Foley to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Katie Douglas.
  • May 14, 2008: The Fever traded K.B. Sharp to the Chicago Sky in exchange for Bernadette Ngoyisa.
  • July 4, 2008: The Fever traded Alison Bales to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Kristen Mann.
  • May 27, 2010: The Fever traded a second-round pick in the 2011 Draft to the Tulsa Shock in exchange for Shavonte Zellous.
  • April 29, 2011: The Fever traded second- and third-round picks to the Seattle Storm and the Washington Mystics in exchange for Erin Phillips and Seattle's third-round pick in the 2012 Draft.
  • March 1, 2012: The Fever traded Tangela Smith to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Roneeka Hodges.
  • July 2, 2012: The Fever traded Roneeka Hodges to the Tulsa Shock in exchange for Karima Christmas.
  • March 11, 2014: The Fever traded Erin Phillips to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Lynetta Kizer.
  • May 12, 2014: The Fever traded a second-round pick in the 2015 Draft to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Maggie Lucas.
  • March 12, 2015: The Fever traded a first- and third-round picks in the 2015 Draft to the San Antonio Stars in exchange for Shenise Johnson and the second-round pick in the 2015 Draft.
  • February 2, 2016: The Fever traded Natasha Howard to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Devereaux Peters.
  • February 21, 2017: In a three-way trade, the Fever traded Lynetta Kizer and a first-round pick in the 2017 Draft to the Connecticut Sun. The Fever received Candice Dupree and a second-round pick in the 2017 Draft from the Phoenix Mercury.[38]
  • February 1, 2018: The Fever acquired C Kayla Alexander and 2019 WNBA Draft third round pick via trade from Las Vegas Aces for 2019 WNBA Draft second round pick.[39]
  • March 6, 2018: The Fever acquired 8th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft via trade from Phoenix Mercury for Briann January.[40]
  • March 6, 2020: The Fever acquired the 14th pick in the 2020 Draft and Minnesota's second round pick in the 2021 Draft in exchange for Shenise Johnson and the 16th pick in the 2020 Draft.[41]
  • February 8, 2021: The Fever acquired Lindsay Allen from Las Vegas and the 24th pick in the 2021 Draft in exchange for the 14th pick in the 2021 Draft.
  • February 15, 2021: The Fever acquired the Minnesota Lynx's 1st and 3rd round picks in the 2022 Draft, Odyssey Sims and negotiating rights to Temi Fagbenle in exchange for the Fever's 2nd round pick in the 2022 Draft.
  • February 20, 2022: The Fever acquired Bria Hartley, the 7th pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Chicago's 2023 First Round Draft pick, and Phoenix's 2022 and 2023 Second Round Draft picks in exchange for Julie Allemand.
  • March 8, 2022: The Fever acquired the 4th and 6th picks in the 2022 Draft and Dallas' 2023 First Round pick in exchange for Teaira McCowan, the 7th pick in the 2022 Draft and the 2023 First Round pick from Chicago.
  • July 4, 2023: The Fever acquired Amanda Zahui B from Washington in exchange for Queen Egbo.

All-Stars

[edit]
  • 2000: None
  • 2001: Rita Williams
  • 2002: Tamika Catchings
  • 2003: Tamika Catchings, Natalie Williams
  • 2004: Natalie Williams
  • 2005: Tamika Catchings
  • 2006: Tamika Catchings, Tamika Whitmore
  • 2007: Tamika Catchings, Anna DeForge, Tammy Sutton-Brown
  • 2008: No All-Star Game
  • 2009: Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas
  • 2010: Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas
  • 2011: Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas
  • 2012: No All-Star Game
  • 2013: Tamika Catchings, Shavonte Zellous
  • 2014: Tamika Catchings, Briann January
  • 2015: Tamika Catchings, Marissa Coleman
  • 2016: No All-Star Game
  • 2017: Candice Dupree
  • 2018: None
  • 2019: Candice Dupree, Erica Wheeler
  • 2020: No All-Star Game
  • 2021: None
  • 2022: None
  • 2023: Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell
  • 2024: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell

Olympians

[edit]
  • 2000: Kara Wolters
  • 2004: Tamika Catchings
  • 2008: Tamika Catchings, Tully Bevilaqua (AUS)
  • 2012: Tamika Catchings
  • 2016: Tamika Catchings, Natalie Achonwa (CAN)
  • 2020: Julie Allemand (BEL)
  • 2024: Kristy Wallace (AUS)

Honors and awards

[edit]
  • 2002 Rookie of the Year: Tamika Catchings
  • 2002 All-WNBA First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2003 All-WNBA First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2004 All-WNBA Second Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2004 Most Improved Player: Kelly Miller
  • 2005 All-WNBA Second Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2005 Defensive Player of the Year: Tamika Catchings
  • 2005 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2005 All-Defensive First Team: Tully Bevilaqua
  • 2005 All-Rookie Team: Tan White
  • 2006 All-Decade Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2006 All-WNBA First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2006 Defensive Player of the Year: Tamika Catchings
  • 2006 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2006 All-Defensive First Team: Tully Bevilaqua
  • 2007 All-WNBA Second Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2007 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2007 All-Defensive Second Team: Tully Bevilaqua
  • 2007 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Tully Bevilaqua
  • 2008 Most Improved Player: Ebony Hoffman
  • 2008 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2008 All-Defensive First Team: Tully Bevilaqua
  • 2008 Dawn Staley Leadership Award: Tamika Catchings
  • 2009 All-WNBA First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2009 All-WNBA Second Team: Katie Douglas
  • 2009 Defensive Player of the Year: Tamika Catchings
  • 2009 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2009 All-Defensive First Team: Tully Bevilaqua
  • 2010 All-WNBA First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2010 All-WNBA Second Team: Katie Douglas
  • 2010 Defensive Player of the Year: Tamika Catchings
  • 2010 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2010 All-Defensive Second Team: Tully Bevilaqua
  • 2010 All-Defensive Second Team: Katie Douglas
  • 2010 Three-Point Contest Champion: Katie Douglas
  • 2010 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Tamika Catchings
  • 2011 Most Valuable Player: Tamika Catchings
  • 2011 All-WNBA First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2011 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2011 All-Defensive Second Team: Katie Douglas
  • 2012 Finals Most Valuable Player: Tamika Catchings
  • 2012 Defensive Player of the Year: Tamika Catchings
  • 2012 All-WNBA First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2012 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2012 All-Defensive First Team: Briann January
  • 2013 Most Improved Player: Shavonte Zellous
  • 2013 All-WNBA Second Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2013 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2013 All-Defensive Second Team: Briann January
  • 2013 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Tamika Catchings
  • 2014 All-Defensive First Team: Briann January
  • 2014 All-Defensive Second Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2015 All-Rookie Team: Natalie Achonwa
  • 2015 All-Defensive First Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2015 All-Defensive First Team: Briann January
  • 2015 All-WNBA Second Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2016 All-Defensive First Team: Briann January
  • 2016 All-Defensive Second Team: Tamika Catchings
  • 2016 All-Rookie Team: Tiffany Mitchell
  • 2016 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Tamika Catchings
  • 2016 Dawn Staley Leadership Award: Tamika Catchings
  • 2018 All-Rookie Team: Kelsey Mitchell
  • 2019 All-Star Game MVP: Erica Wheeler
  • 2019 All-Rookie Team: Teaira McCowan
  • 2020 All-Rookie Team: Julie Allemand
  • 2020 Dawn Staley Leadership Award: Natalie Achonwa
  • 2022 All-Rookie Team: Queen Egbo
  • 2022 All-Rookie Team: NaLyssa Smith
  • 2023 Rookie of the Year: Aliyah Boston
  • 2023 All-Rookie Team: Aliyah Boston
  • 2023 Dawn Staley Leadership Award: Kelsey Mitchell
  • 2024 Rookie of the Year: Caitlin Clark
  • 2024 Peak Performer: Assists: Caitlin Clark
  • 2024 All-Rookie Team: Caitlin Clark
  • 2024 All-WNBA First Team: Caitlin Clark

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lopez, Danny (June 2021). "Indiana Fever". Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Library. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Franchise Quick Facts" (PDF). 2018 Indiana Fever Media Guide. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. May 18, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  3. ^ "2021 Indiana Fever Uniforms". Fever.WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  4. ^ "Indiana Fever Reproduction Guideline Sheet". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  5. ^ Agness, Scott. "Pacers owner Herb Simon named a first-time nominee for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame". www.fieldhousefiles.com. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Fever Declines Option On Winters Contract". FeverBasketball.com. October 26, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2008.
  7. ^ "Dunn Named Fever's Fourth Head Coach". FeverBasketball.com. December 12, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2008.
  8. ^ "Fever Acquires Hometown Star Katie Douglas In Trade With Connecticut". FeverBasketball.com. February 19, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2008.
  9. ^ "FEVER: Kelly Krauskopf Promoted to President". Wnba.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  10. ^ "Kelly Krauskopf promoted to president of Indiana Fever". ESPN. October 30, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  11. ^ Indiana Fever Clinch Playoff Berth!
  12. ^ Indiana Fever Named Pokey Chatman As Head Coach
  13. ^ Mercury Trade Candice Dupree to Indiana in Three-Team Deal
  14. ^ Minnesota Lynx embarrass Fever by WNBA record 59 points
  15. ^ After 12 straight playoff seasons, Fever are eliminated
  16. ^ "Allison Barber Named President and COO of Fever Tamika Catchings Named VP Of Basketball Operations". Indiana Fever. March 4, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Fever fire coach/GM Chatman after 28–74 run". ESPN. Associated Press. September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  18. ^ "Indiana Fever Announce Marianne Stanley As New Head Coach". WNBA. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  19. ^ "Indiana Fever Announce Butler University's Hinkle Fieldhouse As Home Venue For 2020, 2021 and Part of 2022 WNBA Seasons" (Press release). Indiana Fever. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  20. ^ "Indiana Fever Announce 2021 Regular Season Schedule" (Press release). Indiana Fever. April 13, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  21. ^ "Tamika Catchings Stepping Down As Indiana Fever VP of Basketball Operations and General Manager". Indiana Fever. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  22. ^ "Indiana Fever Introduce Interim General Manager Lin Dunn". Indiana Fever. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  23. ^ "2024 WNBA draft, headlined by No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark, shatters TV viewership record". USA Today.
  24. ^ "Caitlin Clark Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More | WNBA". www.wnba.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  25. ^ "2024 Indiana Fever Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  26. ^ "NBA average attendance by team 2024". Statista. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  27. ^ "WNBA Attendance - Across the Timeline". www.acrossthetimeline.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  28. ^ Lewis, Jon (July 9, 2024). "Clark's Fever continue to drive ratings, ad revenue, for WNBA". Sports Media Watch. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  29. ^ INDIANA FEVER TO RETIRE CATCHINGS' NO. 24 JERSEY on Tennessee Athletics website, June 26, 2017
  30. ^ "Fever coach Pokey Chatman is now also GM; Kelly Krauskopf leading Pacers eSports". IndyStar Sports. November 28, 2017.
  31. ^ "Indiana Fever Add IUPUI Legend Carlos Knox to Coaching Staff". Indiana Fever. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  32. ^ "Indiana Fever Hire Two New Assistant Coaches". Indiana Fever. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  33. ^ "TEGNA and Indiana Fever Expand Broadcast Distribution of the Fever's Exciting Upcoming Season in 11 Additional Markets". Tegna. May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  34. ^ "Fever Game Live Stream: Ways To Watch & FAQs". Indiana Fever. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  35. ^ "WNBA Extends TV Rights Deal with ESPN and ABC". Sports Business. June 18, 2007. Archived from the original on November 10, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  36. ^ "WNBA Announces Plan To Tip Off 2020 Season". WNBA. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  37. ^ "WNBA announces plans for 2020 season to start late July in Florida". NBC Sports Washington. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  38. ^ "Indiana Fever Acquire All-Star Candice Dupree – Indiana Fever". Indiana Fever. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  39. ^ "Indiana Fever Acquire 6–4 Center Kayla Alexander in Trade with Las Vegas". fever.wnba.com. February 1, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  40. ^ "Fever Acquire No. 8 Pick in WNBA draft in Exchange for Briann January". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  41. ^ "Fever Acquire Draft Picks in Trade with Minnesota". fever.wnba.com. WNBA. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Preceded by WNBA Champions
2012 (First title) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by WNBA Eastern Conference Champions
2009 (First title) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by WNBA Eastern Conference Champions
2012 (Second title) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by WNBA Eastern Conference Champions
2015 (Third title) 		Succeeded by
Discontinued
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