The 2026 WNBA season is just around the corner. The Indiana Fever are getting ready for their first preseason game of 2026, which is against the New York Liberty on April 25. As the team gears up, the media day conversations have already begun to make noise, as during the Fever’s recent media day, Caitlin Clark made some pretty bold claims.
Caitlin Clark’s Recent Comment Regarding the Indiana Fever
During the recent news conference, Clark highlighted the need for a good backup who can step in and share the load straight away.
“It is exhausting bringing the ball up the floor 94 feet versus pressure every single time, so we certainly need to find someone who can handle the ball … I think Raven and Ty, even other people through camp, have done a great job,” Clark said during the interview.
That concern is not coming out of nowhere. Last season, Clark missed 31 games due to a mix of leg, quad, and groin injuries. Despite that, she still managed to average 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and five rebounds per game when healthy.
The injury problems did not stop there, as her teammate Sophie Cunningham also suffered a season-ending torn MCL in her right knee during a game against the Connecticut Sun in mid-August. Before going down, she averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
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With Clark and Cunningham out, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell took on most of the workload. The duo stepped up and helped the Fever finish with a 24–20 record. They managed to eliminate the Atlanta Dream and even pushed the Las Vegas Aces to a tight five-game semifinal series before falling short.
It showed that the team has potential. But also highlighted how much they depend on a few key players.
Now, keeping last season in mind, Clark also gave credit to the Fever front office for making some important moves. She pointed out that adding Raven Johnson and Tyasha Harris could help ease the pressure on the main core. According to Clark, both players bring the ability to handle responsibility, which is exactly what the team lacked at times last year.
Clark also mentioned during the media day interview that she still sees herself as the best transition player in the league and has no interest in cutting that part of her game back.
“I think mostly on dead balls, I think I’m the best transition player in the league. That’s where I thrive, everybody knows that’s my game,” Clark added during the interview.
That confidence is backed by her recent performance at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Puerto Rico. Clark played a key role in helping Team USA go undefeated as they won all five games. She averaged 11.6 points per game on 52.9% shooting, along with 6.4 assists and 1.6 rebounds. Her performance earned her the tournament MVP award.
That international success is a big boost after a difficult WNBA season filled with injuries. Still, her main message remains clear. While she is ready to lead and perform at a high level, the Fever will need more support around her.
