Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark in playoff squad, Pacers Rick Carlisle calls promotion “great”

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever wrapped up their 2024 regular season on Thursday night with a win over the Washington Mystics. The Fever, who entered the day with a 20-19 record, are in the postseason for the first time since 2016.

Many Indiana Pacers, including Tyrese Haliburton, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner and others, have been seen courtside during Fever appearances recently. Haliburton is the most frequent visitor and, as a point guard, he often praises Clark.

“Hope you all see what 22 is doing at Gainbridge,” Haliburton tweeted earlier this season.

The Fever lost to the Mystics on Thursday, but the game didn't matter to them. Their playoff spot – sixth overall – and their draft slot were already secured before the game. Indiana's starters, including Clark, played the first half and part of the third quarter before leaving for the night. They will play the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the postseason.

“These guys can defend well. We have to be ready,” Fever head coach Christie Sides said, via the Sun.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who was sitting courtside at a Fever game in Dallas a few weeks ago, commented on the WNBA team’s success earlier this week in an interview with The Wake Up Call on 107.5 The Fan.

“It's been great to see,” Carlisle said of the Fever's rise. He's excited to see the team fill stadiums across the country. “I give a lot of credit to Christie Sides because the schedule they had at the beginning of the season was just brutal… it's been fantastic.”

The Fever open the postseason next Sunday at 3 p.m. in Connecticut, with Game 2 on Wednesday. Clark finished her rookie season averaging 19.2 points and 8.4 assists per game while her team finished 20-20.