Lisa Leslie Applauds Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Impact as Fever Prep for 2025 Season

Lisa Leslie, WNBA icon and Hall of Famer, is tipping her hat to Caitlin Clark for the jolt of energy she’s brought to the league. Leslie recently spoke about Clark’s impressive rookie season and how her presence has already sent shockwaves through the Indiana Fever and beyond, as the sharpshooter gears up for her sophomore year.

Leslie noted how Clark jumped into the pros right after her college season and still managed to stir things up. "Her ability to come out and play, especially after her college season. And then to come into the WNBA and just really have the effect that she did, it was really outstanding. I was so proud of Caitlin." It's not every day a rookie walks in and suddenly your ticket sales look like Taylor Swift just announced a surprise concert.

On the Fever’s new prospects, Leslie pointed out that the team’s "on paper" roster looks stacked, with experienced additions like Sydney Colson, Sophie Cunningham, and DeWanna Bonner, plus the return of coach Stephanie White. But while it’s easy to get swept up by the hype, Leslie reminded everyone that building chemistry with so many new faces and a new coach is no walk in the park. "It is so hard to win. It's not easy to win the first year that you get a new coach, new teammates, and you're trying to build this chemistry. I don't want to put too much pressure. I think the Indiana Fever, as far as on paper, looks amazing. Now they've got to put it all together."

And if you needed proof of the "Caitlin Clark effect," just try snagging a ticket—games are selling out, and some arenas are scrambling for more seats when Clark’s in town. Even the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is set for Indiana, so the Fever’s home turf is the place to be.

Clark didn’t make the U.S. women’s Olympic team for Paris, but that seems to have worked out just fine for her and the Fever. The post-Olympics break gave Clark more time with her teammates, and Indiana made their first playoff appearance since 2016, finishing with a 20-20 record and bringing back core players like Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Natasha Howard, and Lexie Hull.

The Fever’s 2025 campaign kicks off on May 17 against the Chicago Sky. Something tells me the only thing hotter than Indiana in July will be the ticket prices for a Caitlin Clark game.