The Indiana Fever play their second game in three nights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday. They’re hosting the Nigeria National Team at 7 p.m. ET in their final tune-up game of the season.

For this Fever team (1-1), they’d like to put together a good 40 minutes before having a week between games. This matchup comes one week from Opening Day, on May 9, against the Dallas Wings.

They’re coming off a performance that was not up to their standards against the Dallas Wings — lacking gap integrity, giving up too many shots at the rim, and not playing as one offensively. After a positive first quarter, it was all Wings the rest of the way.

Head coach Stephanie White would like to see more urgency, improved defense and awareness in transition. Then, the intrigue in this game will become the battle for the final roster spot.

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This was their second of three preseason games, with the finale on Saturday vs. Nigeria National Team.

It’s good to have Ryan May of 800 Meter Sports Photography back for a third straight season shooting Fever and Boom games. I hope you enjoy.

• Caitlin Clark played in her first game at The Fieldhouse in 291 days.

• She scored 14 of her game-high 21 points in the first quarter.

• Paige Buckers finished with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting. No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd was 2 of 7 for four points.

• The Fever were outscored 36-17 in the second quarter, 50-30 in the paint, and 21-9 in transition. No numbers were good for Indiana.

• Starters all played about 17 minutes.

• Makayla Timpson had 11 points off the bench and Raven Johnson registered five steals — making a big impact on that end.

• Alanna Smith was issued a Flagrant-1 foul for a reckless close-out on a Clark 3-pointer with 7:51 to play in the third quarter. Postgame, Clark said she was fine.

• Former Fever guards Odyssey Sims (9-3-4) and Grace Berger (3-2-3) were back in Indy.

• The Fever were held to 40% shooting, 4 for 23 from range, and they recorded 17 turnovers to 15 assists.

• These two teams will meet again in the season opener on May 9.

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Postgame Recap

Interviews

Caitlin Clark was greeted by a loud ovation as she was introduced by Kurt Streblow at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday night. It had been a long time coming — for fans, and especially for her.

Last Saturday, Clark played in her first WNBA game since last July. This game marked her first home appearance since July 13, after injuries sidelined her for much of the past year.

Coincidentally, both came against the Dallas Wings.

Clark wasted no time, scoring 14 of her game-high 21 points in the opening seven minutes. She shot 4-of-5 from the field and converted all four free throws, helping the Indiana Fever to a 29–25 lead after one quarter.

But despite the fast start, it was not a strong showing for Indiana.

Fever head coach Stephanie White said her team lacked urgency, was out-toughed, and failed to play cohesively in a 95–80 preseason loss.

“We let them move the ball and move themselves really wherever they wanted to,” she said. “I didn’t feel like we had a sense of urgency. I felt like we were disconnected on the defensive end of the floor. We weren’t moving when the ball moves, and then we were standing watching.”

The issues began defensively — poor point-of-attack resistance, inconsistent screen communication, and weak-side breakdowns. For a newly constructed roster, those growing pains showed.

“We just have to play better defense,” Clark said. “There’s gonna be moments where we miss shots and there’s gonna be moments where you know things don’t go our way. We have to find a way to play better defense and we will.

“I think our disconnectedness will improve; it has to.”

White noted before the game that with only eight days of training camp, the focus remains foundational. They haven’t had enough time for install to even consider intentionally hiding strategy before these two teams meet on Opening Day.

“It’s really just about putting in our base-level stuff and making sure that we continue to execute that. It’s a preseason game so we just want to get players experience with each other. We want to get experience, as coaches, with different rotations.”

It’s a work-in-progress for all teams. Perhaps, more so now than ever with the roster turnover due to the new CBA.

The Wings shot 51%, dominated the glass 45–26, and outscored Indiana by 20 points in the paint. They won comfortably despite committing 22 turnovers.

“A little undisciplined,” Clark added. “Just soft defensively.”

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Pacers Sports & Entertainment owner Herb Simon has poured millions into downtown Indianapolis — and that investment is continuing.

Just four months after breaking ground on Indianapolis’ first Ritz-Carlton — a project that also includes a parking garage and a 4,000-seat Live Nation venue — Simon’s Boxcar Development has announced a new collaboration with country music star Blake Shelton.

Together, they will open Shelton’s seventh Ole Red — a multi-level bar, restaurant, and live music venue — on Meridian Street in downtown Indianapolis. The venue will occupy historic buildings that previously housed the Meridian Room and Tiki Bob’s.

Plans call for a main dining area, an indoor bar, two performance stages, and a rare covered rooftop bar overlooking the city.

Several hundred people gathered indoors — due to weather — at the Ascension St. Vincent Entry Pavilion inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday as plans were unveiled for the 37,000-square-foot venue, which is expected to open in about 18 months — late 2027.

“We’ve done a few of these now, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much support from a community,” Shelton said, looking out into the audience filled with team staff members, city officials, media, etc.

“The Governor’s here, the Mayor’s here — everybody’s here. This is incredible, and that’s why I knew this was going to be a big deal and why it’s so exciting to come to Indianapolis, is because I know the support is going to be here, and because I know that country music fans are all over the place in Indiana.”

Ole Red will sit just blocks west from The Fieldhouse and the Ritz-Carlton site, adding to the growing Fieldhouse District. From Morris Bicentennial Plaza to Commission Row and the $78 million Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center currently under construction, Simon continues to pour into the area.

That focus is fitting, given his background as the longtime leader of Simon Property Group. He officially retired from his role on the board in February.

“Partnerships and investments around Gainbridge Fieldhouse, just like this one, are exciting steps as we create one of the most bold and ambitious sports-anchored entertainment districts in the country, ” Simon said in a statement. “We are proud to partner with Opry Entertainment Group and Ryman Hospitality Properties to bring this world-class brand to downtown.”

“I want to thank the Simon family,” said Indiana Governor Mike Braun. “Everything you do energizes, builds, creates the atmosphere we have here downtown. … Indiana is now a place that’s kind of the center of the universe, in my opinion, of where we’re doing things other places aren’t.”

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The project is part of a broader vision for the Fieldhouse District.

Ole Red in Indianapolis is the brainchild of PS&E executive Joey Graziano, who explored multiple concepts for the Meridian Street site before being impressed by Ole Red’s flagship in Nashville.

“It was packed, it was fun, the food was phenomenal, and I think we walked away knowing that we wanted to be partners,” PS&E CEO Mel Raines said. “This raises the profile of Indianapolis, like the Ritz-Carlton, and some of the other amazing things we have going on and the investments we’ve made here on The Fieldhouse.”

A project in Indy had been on Shelton’s radar for years. Colin Reed, executive chairman of Ryman Hospitality Properties, visited prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to explore opportunities. He was encouraged not only by the sports and cultural scene, but also Indy’s tourism and convention business.

“It is very clear to me that this city is on a very steep trajectory in terms of growth,” he said.

After a year of negotiations between Simon and Opry Entertainment Group, the deal was finalized and construction is underway.

“Today’s announcement signals continued interest and confidence in the Circle City,” said Chris Gahl of Visit Indy. “Today’s news will add even more hospitality options in this growing Fieldhouse District, benefiting visitors and residents alike.”

The Fieldhouse already hosts an estimated two million guests and more than 500 events annually.

The Ole Red brand draws its name from Shelton’s 2001 hit Ol’ Red, which tells the story of a Georgia inmate outsmarting a tracking dog.

To escape prison, he plays matchmaker, using a female hound to lure the dog off the scent. As the inmate flees north, the dog (Red) chases romance in the opposite direction, perfectly capturing the song’s twist: love got him in, and love got him out.

Leaders behind the project say the Indianapolis venue is designed to offer more than a traditional bar experience.

“People often confuse it as sort of a place that sells hamburgers and beer, and it’s a bar, but we really think that it’s a bit different than that,” said Reed. “The thing that we do in these buildings is create a great musical environment. We put a stage in place, technology in place, that any superstar artist would be pleased to play on, and the quality of the music that we bring into these facilities.”

Added Shelton: “It showcases an artist in the best possible way and makes them look like a star, which is what they need to look like when they get on stage. That makes me proud, and I’m always confident to put somebody in one of these places. I’m really excited about this particular one, just because of the vibe here.”

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett pointed to the city’s growth, then compared Shelton — a former coach on NBC’s The Voice — to a man down in Bloomington who just coached the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship.

“I think Mr. Shelton knows a thing or two about success,” Hogsett said. “Chart-topping musician and, of course, the winningest coach in the history of The Voice. Blake Shelton is to The Voice what Curt Cignetti is to the NCAA football world. So just call him coach.”

As he heard the Governor and Mayor talk, Shelton reflected on his longstanding ties to Indiana.

He recalled driving to Indy 26 years ago with his producer and record label owner — “I wasn’t even a new artist, I was nobody,” he said — to play at WFMS’ Country Music Expo.

“That was the very first time here in Indianapolis that I ever performed in public,” he continued. “It was, my first single, ‘Austin,’ and to see the crowd reaction — the station guys later was like, ‘Man, that was a big reaction, we think that could be a hit.’ Of course it ended up being my first single and my first hit.”

Shelton later recorded his first televised concert special in Evansville, sang “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, and served as Grand Marshal of the Indianapolis 500 in 2022.

“A lot of the monumental things that happened for me in my career happened here in Indiana,” he said.

Ole Red Indianapolis is set to become the next chapter — with doors expected to open in 2027.

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Caitlin Clark will soon add another accomplishment to her list — this time off the court.

The Indiana Fever star and two-time WNBA All-Star has written a children’s book that is scheduled to be published Nov. 3, 2026, by Random House Books for Young Readers. (Click here to pre-order.)

The picture book, “EXTRAordinary! A Little EXTRA to Reach BIG Dreams,” was inspired by a mirror in Clark’s childhood room.

It read: “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little EXTRA.”

That message — striving to be EXTRAordinary — is woven throughout the book, which is written in uplifting, lively rhyming verse for young readers.

“Basketball has given me so many incredible opportunities, but what has always meant the most to me are the people who’ve supported me along the way,” said Clark. “I hope this book reminds kids that they’re never alone in chasing their dreams and that giving a little extra to the people and moments is what makes them EXTRAordinary.”

The book was illustrated by Adriana Predoi.

Clark, entering her third WNBA season, has become a driving force in the league’s growth.

All 44 Fever games this season will air on national television — a league first — with surging demand tied closely to her presence. TV ratings are up, games are sold out, opposing teams have moved matchups to larger venues, and merchandise sales continue to soar.

The announcement comes one day after the Caitlin Clark Foundation revealed a partnership with Scholastic and the United States of Readers (USoR) aimed at promoting literacy.

More than 26,000 students will receive fully funded classroom book boxes along with Caitlin Clark Foundation bookmarks.

“Caitlin is deeply connected to the people and the communities who have supported her along her journey,” said Sara Sargent, Editorial Director at Rodale Kids. “This book reflects the values that have anchored her throughout her life. It’s a joy-filled reminder that success is never achieved alone. EXTRAordinary! is a meaningful and very personal debut, and we’re thrilled to bring it to young readers.”

Clark often talks about how special it is to see girls and boys wearing her jersey, how they light up during those interactions — and how she remembers being in their shoes. Despite being sidelined for much of last season due to injury, she still spent about 20 minutes before each game signing autographs for fans at the arena.

For Clark, the impact has never stopped at the final buzzer — and now it won’t be limited to the court, either.

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Sunday marked just two weeks until a significant date in Pacers history: the draft lottery.

After going 19-63 this past season, they have a 14% chance at the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. More importantly, they have a 52.1% shot of selecting inside the top four — which is critical. If they drop out of the top four, their pick goes to the LA Clippers as part of a midseason trade that brought center Ivica Zubac to Indy.

The draft lottery show will air live from Chicago at 3 p.m. ET on May 10. Yes, that’s also Mother’s Day. The Pacers need all the good karma they can get ahead of this.

As for Pacers basketball and the NBA Playoffs, I’ve been thinking about this for a while: Can they maintain their pace and increased number of possessions while staying healthy? We saw another young player, Donte DiVincenzo, suffer a torn Achilles tendon in the playoffs over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Fever were back inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday to resume training camp. They enjoyed Sunday off after shooting 51% and scoring 29 points off turnovers in a 109-91 road win against the New York Liberty.

Click here to read my game recap and watch my report.

They have two more exhibition games, both at home: Thursday vs. Dallas and Saturday vs. the Nigeria National Team.

I spent Friday evening at the Lucas Oil Estate as Republic Airways hosted its 14th annual Plane Pull gala — benefiting A Kid Again, Indiana Wish, Riley Children’s Foundation, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent, and other children’s organizations.

Pacers Sports & Entertainment was one of many sponsors for the event.

One of the special guests was Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II. He’s been with the franchise since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Years later, he’s one of four players featured on giant photos inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

However, he recently requested a trade — seeking a fresh start elsewhere — so he doesn’t know how much longer he’ll be here. But the former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee for the Colts clearly values this community.

Two Sundays ago, on April 19, I ran into him sitting courtside for the Indy Ignite game against Dallas Pulse in Fishers. He’s also frequently attended Pacers and Fever games.

Moore choked up and grew emotional when reflecting on his time here.

It’s been so welcoming over the course of these nine years in this community. One thing that I’ll definitely take away, that’s one of my favorite memories, is teaching eight graders life skills and learning the curriculum around it and just seeing them thrive and giving me a headache at the same time, but I can’t help a headache too. (laughs)

Just putting myself in a position as an educator or a teacher is — I don’t think teachers get enough credit for what they do.

I’ve been able to meet so many great people over the course of Indianapolis, but the one that hits home for me … [pause to collect himself, and the crowd applauded in support]

It’s been the families that I’ve been able to meet. I think for me, I’ve always tried to find comfort wherever I’ve been in life and being here in Indianapolis since 2017, I met a couple families that have made me feel at home so I kind of adopted this place and Indianapolis adopted me. It feels like a hometown, so yeah, Indiana will always have a special place in my heart.

We most often see these players in their element — on the hardwood or the field. But this is just another example of a player opening up and sharing human feelings.

Don’t forget that.

Damiris Dantas Arrives

Fever reserve center Damiris Dantas is ready for her third summer in Indianapolis — but first, she needed an approved work visa.

That requirement delayed her arrival, which finally came over the weekend.

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Fever reserve center Damiris Dantas is ready for her third summer in Indianapolis — but first, she needed an approved work visa.

That requirement delayed her arrival, which finally came over the weekend.

“DD had a great offseason,” head coach Stephanie White said before practice. “She’s been playing great. She looks great. I heard that yesterday she shot …

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After prioritizing health this offseason, depth quickly followed on the Indiana Fever’s checklist. The two often go hand-in-hand, and last season proved how fragile that balance can be.

For how the Fever want to play — and with their expectations — a complete, reliable 12-player roster is essential.

They opened their three-game preseason slate Saturday in New York against a talented, taller Liberty team. Indiana led most of the way, building a double-digit advantage just over six minutes in and topping the century mark in a 109-91 victory.

Kelsey Mitchell scored 18 points in 17 minutes, veteran addition Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 18 off the bench, and rookie guard Raven Johnson impressed with six points (3-for-3), eight assists, and zero turnovers in 18 minutes.

Every player flashed something.

Johnson’s two chase-down blocks stood out as much as her ball-handling and playmaking. Justine Pissott confidently knocked down two 3-pointers, and Jessica Timmons (10 points) reached double figures — both showing how they can contribute.

Most notably, Caitlin Clark appeared in her first WNBA game since last July. She wasted no time, scoring on a floater 14 seconds in, then knocking down a step-back 3-pointer one minute later. Sophie Cunningham added her first of three 3s as the Fever jumped out to an 8-0 lead.

Clark said pregame she was excited to be back out there.

“I think any time you get to put on your uniform and lace up your shoes, you don’t take that for granted,” she said. “Especially having come off last year, and how I didn’t really get to do that very much.

“Coming into this game, just a lot of excitement, not a ton of nerves. Just get out there, run around, it’s gonna be probably a little sloppy here and there for both teams. That’s kind of what preseason games are about.

“And everybody’s just trying to get their footing again; same goes for me too. So I think obviously, I can rely on the USA Basketball stuff that I did. And that experience of getting back out there and my body feeling good, and bring that into today.”

And it was the first time we’ve seen this fast-paced team at their best all season. Training camp viewing for media has been limited to stretching, drills, and light shooting — so this was encouraging to see.

The Fever attempted 11 more shots than New York, committed just 12 turnovers despite a lot of minutes for reserves, and turned 24 Liberty turnovers into 29 points.

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The biggest weakness was their interior defense. New York found success inside early, though points in the paint evened out at 46-46. The issue wasn’t just size — it was perimeter breakdowns and inconsistent help defense.

As expected in a preseason opener, starters saw limited second-half minutes. The Fever kept their starters around 18 minutes — about half the game.

Damiris Dantas has yet to join the team as she awaits her work visa. Aliyah Boston (right lower leg), Lexie Hull (hamstring), and newcomer Ty Harris were also held out due to injuries.

With Boston out, Myisha Hines-Allen started at the four and Monique Billings shifted to the 5.

Boston and Hull’s absences were precautionary. We’ve seen both Boston and Hull in camp every day.

“Just tightness,” head coach Stephanie White said pregame. “We’ve practiced five practices — and there’s really no reason to throw everybody out there. I think for us, getting eyes on new players, getting the new players that are in our system reps is gonna be important.

“It’s a long season and so making sure that we’re ready for the regular season. It’s gonna be a really good opportunity for us to evaluate some of our talent and for people to get to different positions. “

Harris, however, is on “a different level of return-to-play,” White said. The Indy product underwent left knee surgery nearly 11 months ago and has said she feels fully healthy.

She previously played under White in Connecticut and noted familiarity with the system, but the best way to build chemistry with teammates is on the court — so being out there is important.

The Fever have two preseason games remaining before their May 9 opener.

There’s still work to be done — but the first outing offered a strong early glimpse of their depth and tempo.

Watch my postgame recap below:

Good afternoon and welcome back to Fieldhouse Files.

It’s been a busy, productive week full of interviews and evaluation with the Indiana Fever. Don’t worry, Pacers fans — I will have plenty of content for you soon.

The first week of a season is a combination of information and interview overload, combined with a curiosity for what this team may look like — from players’ offseason development to rotations, minute allotment, and playing style.

Are you ready for it?

After five days of camp, the Fever departed Indianapolis Friday afternoon headed to New York for their first of three preseason games. This is their only one on the road.

“I like the fact that we have three preseason games, just to get a sense of what a game flow is going to be like, what healthy bodies get a sense of where we are from an endurance standpoint and a substitution pattern standpoint,” said Stephanie White, who enters her second season as Fever head coach (again). “So it’s just as much for us as coaches as it is for players.”

The coaching staff approached Friday’s practice like they would the day before a regular-season game. There was some film review and game-planning before they took the floor. However, because it’s an exhibition game and minutes will be more evenly distributed, they did more live play than they normally would before a game.

White plans to give everyone some minutes at Barclays Center vs. New York.

“Want to try to work some rotations, some combinations, see what they look like on both ends of the floor — making sure we start to find rotations that can be as good on the offensive end, equally as good on the defensive end,” she said.

“We’ll probably run it very similar in the first half, and then in the second half, kind of get people some minutes.”

White knows what the returning players look like, though it’s been almost a year since she’s seen them all on the court together due to injuries.

“You can feel the excitement,” said guard Lexie Hull.

“It’s good to get live reps, game reps, get a chance to really understand how the warmups go, what makes you feel good, what makes you feel ready for the game.

“And then in the game, I’m sure we’ll mix up the lineup so we’re building chemistry out there with everybody. But ultimately, it’s to win. I think there’ll be a lot of competitiveness first preseason game of the season.”

Who, among the newcomers, has jumped out in camp?

“I mean, honestly, all of them,” Hull said. “I’ve been very impressed with their willingness to learn, willingness to take feedback, ask questions. They’ve gotten better every single day. And I think that’s just, they came from great college programs, great college coaches, and they’re excited to be here. And I think you can really tell that.”

That’s encouraging. And you could tell in the Fever’s approach to free agency that they weren’t just looking for talent, but fit. They valued the unselfishness of last year’s group, chemistry that refused to break even as things went dark — and player after player went on the injury report. Almost 20 different players saw action last season, including a few who joined late from overseas.

Saturday’s game, which will be televised nationally on ION at 3 p.m. ET, will be their first test. But let’s call it more of a quiz. It’s without consequences and it’s to get them prepared for a strong 44-game season. Opening day isn’t until May 9th.

Like the Fever, the Liberty are among the favorites to win it all come the fall. Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Satou Sabally & more. This team will be a real challenge because of their talent and size — with the majority of their players being at least 6-foot.

The Fever are a smaller team, especially in the backcourt. They want to play fast, run at every opportunity, share the ball, and for players to confidently shoot open shots without hesitation.

For the rookies and newcomers, White told them to be who they are. There’s a reason why the Fever wanted them in camp.

“We expect that there’s going to be some nerves,” she said. “We expect that there’s going to be a little bit of scatteredness to everything that they do. But be who you are. Have fun. Enjoy this experience. It’s a preseason game.”

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🗓️ Preseason Dates

1. Sat., April 25 at New York Liberty | 3 p.m. ET

2. Thu., April 30 v Dallas Wings | 7 p.m. ET

3. Sat., May 2 v Nigeria Women’s National Team | 7 p.m. ET

Click here to watch every interview from media day.

News and Notes

• Indiana made several new staff hires centered on player health. More on that soon.

• Kelsey Mitchell, who was one of a few players in the league to sign a supermax ($1.4M) contract, is a sneaker free agent. She’s previously worn Nike, including on Day 1 of camp. But on media day, she wore Tyrese Haliburton’s signature Puma shoe and continued in camp.

• Notable to me that GM Amber Cox has been the front-facing member of the front office.

• Former WNBA coach Dan Hughes was a guest at their first practice.

• WNBA legend Cheryl Miller, now an analyst for NBC, attended practice on Thursday.

• The league is celebrating its 30th season this season. Remarkable to consider how on Friday, it marked exactly 30 years since the NBA Board of Governors announced the approval of a new league. Click here for that press release.

• Plan accordingly for Opening Day: The team is planning to host parties on the plaza, outside The Fieldhouse at Morris Bicentennial Plaza, beginning after Game 1 of the season vs. the Dallas Wings. It’s a free party with live music, themed drinks, games (like yard pong, corn hole, Connect Four), plus drinks and food on-site.

• The other five dates planned: May 30, June 12, June 20, July 19, Aug. 8.

• The Pacers’ schedule is down on the Schedule Wall — and the Fever’s 2026 schedule will be up soon.

Caitlin Clark is Healthy and Ready to Go

It’s been more than nine months since Clark last played in a WNBA game due to injuries. Being in multiple camps with USA Basketball, then playing in five games at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament (and being named MVP), was significant because entering the final month before training camp, Clark could turn the page.

The final leg of her offseason could become about getting better and prepping for the season rather than about rehab and recovery, which she did more than ever before.

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After three days of practice, the Indiana Fever took a break from basketball to complete a necessary step before every season: media day.

It has, however, evolved into more of a content day for teams — featuring headshots, promotional photo and video shoots, broadcast and in-house television interviews, and production for the intro video, and more.

There are more than two dozen stations for players to rotate through.

One of those stops includes interviews with local media.

General manager Amber Cox kicked off the day shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday, followed by head coach Stephanie White.

From there, each of the 16 players took turns at the microphone, answering questions from local reporters. The lone absence was Damiris Dantas, who has yet to report to camp due to work visa issues.

The most viral moment from the day came from Caitlin Clark — surprise, surprise — after she turned the camera on reporters and requested a group photo.

The Fever’s first of three preseason games is Saturday afternoon in New York. Then, they open up the regular season at home against the Dallas Wings on May 9.

Every interview is in a separate media player. And if you’d prefer to sit back and watch them all in one place, you can do so as well.

Returning Players

Newcomers

Draft Picks (3)

Training Camp Deals

Reporters began arriving at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 9 a.m. Wednesday as the Indiana Fever hosted its annual media day. Cameras were set up and ready to go at the southwest corner of Salesforce Court, one of more than a dozen stations each player would rotate through.

Caitlin Clark was the second player to speak, and all eyes were on the All-Star guard. How was she feeling health-wise? What did she think of the team’s offseason moves? Would she be playing more off the ball?

Clark — who is just 24 but handles each question with the ease of a seasoned veteran — talked for nine minutes. And throughout the entire session, she held a classic camera in her hands.

A silver Contax T2 film camera.

It was a different kind of accessory for a media day setting, though photography has become a recent hobby. Clark picked it up last summer while sidelined due to injury, and last month she even took a courtside photographer’s seat at a Pacers-Lakers game to capture photos.

At the end of her interview, Clark flipped the script and made one request to the more than 33 reporters gathered in a tight media scrum.

She wanted a group photo.

“Oh wait, I have a question,” she said. “Can you guys all go stand over there? I’m going to get you on my film camera. Ok? You can be featured.

“You guys always take photos of me, so go over there, act like you like each other. And you’re going to smile for me, OK? Smile a bit.”

Like any true photographer, she 1) had a vision, 2) offered words of encouragement, and 3) motioned for the group to move closer together.

“Alright, if some of you don’t make it, don’t be mad at me,” she added before taking several shots. “You don’t want to squeeze in. They’re not going to bite.”

Before moving on to her next station, Clark added: “Thank you, guys. I’ll send it to you.”

It was a memorable media day moment that quickly circulated online — as so many things involving The Needle tend to do.

Or, perhaps it’s another State Farm moment?

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Watch her full interview below.

Click here to watch every interview from Fever Media Day.

It was just one week ago that Kelsey Mitchell made history, becoming the first player in WNBA history to sign a seven-figure contract. The Fever signed her to the new supermax, worth 20% of the salary cap ($1.4 million).

Drafted second overall by Indiana in 2018, Mitchell is entering her ninth season — and the organization would like her to finish her career in Indianapolis.

But Mitchell has another contract up — her shoe and apparel deal.

She has previously been a Nike athlete, but told Fieldhouse Files on Wednesday that she is now a sneaker free agent.

Mitchell wore a pair of purple Nike shoes on the first day of training camp, but for media day on Wednesday, she switched things up — appearing in Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton’s signature Puma shoes.

The model: the Hali 1 ‘Halucinating,’ a colorway inspired by Haliburton’s unpredictable year and his shift back to form as he prepares for next season.

The release only became available last month.

Could Mitchell make a similar move — from Nike to Puma?

“I love Tyrese Haliburton as a person, even more as a player. I’m just kind of like figuring some things out and trying some things out. But I said, ‘Why not?’

“In the city of Indianapolis, with a guy like Tyrese Haliburtions and all of the things he’s done for the Pacers, it was only right to see where I’m at.

“Puma feels really good today, so shout-out to Tyrese.”

Mitchell is coming off a career season with the Fever, finishing fifth in MVP voting while leading the team to Game 5 of the semifinals in Las Vegas before her body gave out.

Watch her full interview from media day below.

For the past two years, since taking over as CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Mel Raines has made it a priority to make Indianapolis the women’s sports capital of the world.

She brought back Kelly Krauskopf, the original architect of the Indiana Fever — someone instrumental in the WNBA’s growth on both the basketball and business sides. They agreed to host WNBA All-Star Weekend last year for the first time after the league reached out for help. They began construction on a new $78 million, world-class training center for the Fever that takes into consideration players’ basketball and personal needs.

Then, over the past week, they made history — twice — with player salaries.

After extending a Core qualifying offer to Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever signed her to a one-year supermax contract worth $1.4 million. Mitchell, already the highest-paid player last season (at $250,000), became the first player to sign for 20% of the new salary cap under the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Five days later, the Fever signed three-time All-Star center Aliyah Boston to a contract extension using the new Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract (EPIC) provision in the CBA. The rule provides an accelerated pathway to maximum contracts for star players still on rookie deals.

The EPIC provision is available to players named All-WNBA First or Second Team, or league MVP, within their first three seasons. Both Boston and Caitlin Clark check that box.

Boston, who made about $83,000 last season, was set to earn more than $500,000 this year — a significant increase under the new CBA. Instead, she signed a four-year extension worth an estimated $6.3 million, including $1 million in 2026.

The announcement came late Friday evening, but once again, it was the Fever making history — this time with the largest contract in WNBA history.

“She’s been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever since she was drafted here in 2023,” said Fever GM and COO Amber Cox. “We’re thrilled to be able to reward her with this new contract and make history, and most importantly, lock her in as a cornerstone of the Fever for years to come.

“There is not a better person to go down in history as the first recipient of this type of groundbreaking agreement.”

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With a salary cap of $7 million, the Fever now have two players earning seven figures this season.

“I was super blessed,” Boston said. “God is great, man! Just to be here, be with the Fever, get that extension, I’m super excited about it. Pretty much once CBA was finalized, my agent handled all that. I just sit back, watch a good show and wait for him to call me.”

And what a call that must’ve been.

The front office, coaches, and players had been preparing for free agency for months. Mitchell, Boston, and Lexie Hull were all at Unrivaled, where many of those conversations took place. The Fever coaching staff — along with Clark — also spent time there. They worked out, shared meals, spent time together, and strengthened relationships.

“I asked Lexie — we sat at the table a couple times together,” Mitchell shared. “We knew we had to make it make sense. We knew that we wanted to be together. So that was the easy part — sit down and break bread with the people that you enjoy playing the game with.

“We talked about making sacrifices for each other. We talked about being what we needed to be for each other.”

Mitchell averaged a career-high 20.2 points last season and finished fifth in MVP voting. “She further cemented her legacy last season, and we hope her return underscores how much she is valued by our entire organization,” Cox said.

Boston didn’t hesitate when asked about Mitchell becoming the league’s first million-dollar player.

“As she should be,” she said. “Period.

“I love Kelsey. Her dedication to this franchise has just been so crucial and she’s a big part as to why we even made it so far last year, especially with C being out. For her to get that money, I’m so proud of her.”

Added Clark: “Nobody more deserving. Really happy for her and happy that she gets to spend more time here because these fans really love her. This organization really loves her and I’ve loved getting to play with her every single second. She’s not only a great basketball player, but one of my good friends. So really happy to celebrate her.”

The Fever have a Big Three in Mitchell, Boston, and Clark. But this will be the final season they’re not all earning maximum salaries. Next year, Mitchell will again be a free agent, and Clark will be extension-eligible.

Can they commit 60% of the cap to three players? That’s a question for another day — but it helps explain why most of their other free-agent deals were for one year. Flexibility matters.

“It’s just baffling hearing those numbers,” said head coach Stephanie White, who played for the Fever from 2000-04. “It’s crazy. I’m so thankful that this league is where we are right now — to still be a part of it and to see these things come to fruition.

“These players deserve it. They have they have been a part of a tidal wave of changing the landscape of the game. I’m thankful that they are living in this moment. And I’m thankful that I’m still part of it.”

No one has experienced the organization’s evolution more than Mitchell, who was drafted second overall in 2018. White is her fifth head coach. The team won six games her rookie year. They practiced at D1 Training and played home games at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Hinkle Fieldhouse during Gainbridge Fieldhouse renovations. At times, only one concession stand was open.

She remembers earning $60,000 and knowing what it’s like to not really have money.

“I had to go stay with my parents for my first five years of my career,” she said. “So it’s humbling. You think about where you came from and where you’re at right now, and be like, “Shit, I guess I deserve to be here.” But I’ve embraced it.

“People think I’m rich, but I don’t know why.”

After posting just 49 wins across her first six seasons, the Fever have won 44 games over the past two years since Clark’s arrival.

They’re building something special — on the court and in the community.

Road games feel like home games.
Home games are sellouts and an expensive ticket.
Every game is available on TV, almost all airing on national TV.

They’re not just growing a brand — they’re helping lead the women’s sports movement. Just how Raines, Krauskopf, and others inside PS&E had hoped.

“Indy is just such a fun place to be,” said Boston, who enters her fourth season. “I think basketball that we’re playing here is great basketball. The people that we have here, this franchise, is amazing and I love playing with them.”

Mitchell acknowledged that she considered other options, but she kept being drawn back to Fever land.

“For all the right reasons, I knew Fever was a priority,” she said. “I knew that I wanted to kind of be a Fever girl again in a certain way. My relationships that I built with AB, CC, and even like Lexie and Sophie and all those guys — it was family vibes. So I couldn’t shake it and let it go.”

Now, she’s in the process of buying her first home.

When momentum toward a supermax deal began, she had a simple thought: “Damn, I get that money back.”

But more than anything, she kept coming back to gratitude.

The past two seasons have taken a toll. She lost her father before the 2024 season, and last year, she pushed her body to the limit — eventually being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. After numerous IVs, along with CT scans for review, she was cleared and feeling 100% a few weeks later.

Does that change her approach?

“Hell no,” she said.

There was room for humor, too — Mitchell smiling at the shifting market while appreciating where she stands in it.

“I don’t know if it’s league history after I see everybody else’s numbers now,” she said with a grin. “But I was grateful. It was humbling for me and my family. You guys know what I’ve been going through the last two or three years.

“It’s humbling because you see those kind of numbers and you don’t think it’s possible.”

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The sun was shining in downtown Indianapolis on Sunday, a cool spring day.

Driving south into downtown, the Indiana Fever’s new $78 million practice facility has taken shape. The final beam was recently installed, and at this time next year, the sounds will come from inside — sneakers on the floor and players communicating.

Instead, that energy was two blocks away on Salesforce Court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

It’s the 30th season of the WNBA, and this Fever team, led by Caitlin Clark, is the most popular and talked-about group in the league. That’s why Clark didn’t shy away from saying they’ll be championship favorites — even back in March, before the draft and free agency.

Sunday marked Day 1 of training camp, with players getting acclimated on the court. New practice jerseys hung along the sideline, and each player stopped by to grab their preferred size.

The anticipation is high for this season, as is the relief that they’ve reached this point. A new Collective Bargaining Agreement was finalized one month ago, though the full language is still being completed by lawyers.

Teams got what they want in having a season while players are enjoying revenue sharing for the first time, along with significant increases in salary and benefits.

In less than three weeks, the WNBA completed an expansion draft, free agency, and the draft. Now, it all comes together.

“Everything’s kind of been a whirlwind, as it’s been across the league,” said Stephanie White, who enters her second season as Fever head coach. “To be able to finally get on the floor, it’s an exciting time.”

Players arrived in Indianapolis throughout the past week and gathered as a full group for the first time on Friday. There were smiles, hugs, and reunions — along with introductions.

White’s message to the group was simple: protect the locker room and all that made for a special ride last postseason, and take another step. Show up ready to work and make progress daily. Never stray from the standard, which centers on their ‘we over me’ mentality.

“We’re going to continue to prioritize the locker room and the chemistry in the locker room and the continuity,” White said. “And we have to expect more of ourselves on a daily basis. It’s about consistency, it’s about how we do the work and it’s about putting ourselves in position for success.”

The Fever signed MVP finalist Kelsey Mitchell to the WNBA’s first supermax contract, worth $1.4 million. They re-signed fan favorites Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham. They added key free agent Monique Billings and drafted point guard Raven Johnson. Most importantly, Clark is healthy.

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For the past three weeks, it’s been go, go, go for the Indiana Fever front office.

A new Collective Bargaining Agreement was reached, and by the start of April, an expansion draft for two new franchises was completed.

Then came free agency.

Then the WNBA Draft.

On Thursday, the front office was joined by the coaching staff, All-Star guard Caitlin Clark, and other members of Pacers Sports & Entertainment for a different kind of build.

This one was special — impacting the lives of one Indianapolis family for years to come.

The Fever teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to begin a months-long project, building a three-bedroom, two-bath home from the ground up for a single mother, Paris, and her son, Mason.

“Homeownership will mean the world to me because it represents something my mother always wanted for our family. Growing up in a single parent household, she did everything she could with the resources she had,” Paris said. “Now, as a single mother myself, I would love the opportunity to give me and my son stability — somewhere to call home for more than two to three years at a time.”

Normally, a hardwood basketball court covers the event level at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. But on this day, it was concrete — along with piles of lumber throughout the space. Team employees split into groups, rolling up their sleeves to hammer nails and assemble framing that will eventually become Paris’ home.

“Congrats Paris! Love, the Fever!” Caitlin Clark wrote on one of the wooden beats.

“Welcome home Paris and Mason,” head coach Stephanie White added.

After instructions were given, Fever GM and COO Amber Cox turned to the group and offered one lighthearted reminder: “Thanks so much for being here today. I see Caitlin standing behind me — please keep the hammers and nails out of her hands. The number one word for this year is health. We’re going to stay healthy heading into the season.”

Clark swung a hammer once — just a single nail — and that was enough.

Training camp starts on Sunday.

“We’ve always been about giving back and staying connected to our community,” Cox said. “The really wonderful thing is that as we grow, we can do bigger and better things.

“So it’s really cool to be able to team up with Habitat, to be able to, work alongside our fans, all of our employees, players. Everybody’s gonna touch this over the course of the season. To be able to do this, for this deserving family, means a lot and we hope it’s something that we can make an annual tradition.”

The event, supported by State Farm, is part of the Fever Fund, which focuses on uplifting families and empowering girls and women across Indiana. Bailey Johnson, senior community engagement manager at Pacers Sports & Entertainment, helped organize the effort.

“We’re in our 39th year doing our work, carrying out our mission of building homes, communities, and hope,” said Jim Morris, CEO and President of Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity. “You really represent bringing that hope into this space.

“We should be kind of exhausted as a community coming off the Final Four, but that Hoosier hospitality spirit is really welcome and really on display in what we’re doing.”

Go behind the scenes at the build, and hear from White, Cox, and Morris in the video below:

The project will continue throughout the summer, with hopes of completion this fall — potentially in October.

“I know it’s big business now,” White said of the WNBA, “but in our hearts, it’s grassroots. It’s about community, it’s about giving back and it’s about impacting on a bigger stage.”

She then pointed to former WNBA players now within the organization — including Tamika Catchings, Tully Bevilaqua, Briann January, and Karima Christmas-Kelly — who had participated in similar builds during their playing careers.

White thanked staff members who dedicated time during the workday to help, then turned to Paris with a message.

“It’s important,” White said. “It’s at the heart of who we are as an organization. It’s at the heart of who we are as the WNBA and in the bigger picture, being able to impact beyond basketball is really important.”

Sporting events often serve as an outlet — a place to set aside the stresses of everyday life and come together in support of a team.

On this day, it was the Pacers Sports & Entertainment family coming together to make sure Paris got a win.

“We are in the business of basketball,” Cox said. “We want to win, we want to hang banners. But what we do impacts so many people beyond that. We want to inspire and we want to create positive change.

“That’s always been at the heart of the WNBA, of the Indiana Fever, and of this organization and that really starts with our ownership — and the Simon family.

“It’s a great feeling that we get to be involved in it.”

Photos

(And more, courtesy of Pacers Sports & Entertainment)

The Indiana Pacers are going international for the second time in three seasons.

The Pacers will face the Denver Nuggets at Arena CDMX in Mexico City on Saturday, Nov. 7. It’s part of the NBA Global Games and will be the 35th NBA game held in Mexico.

“We’re thrilled to bring Indiana Pacers basketball to Mexico City during such a meaningful and vibrant time of year,” said Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate our growing fan base in Mexico and across Latin America, while also recognizing the strong Hispanic and Latin American communities here in Indiana. By connecting our local and global fans, we’re strengthening the shared culture, energy and love of the game that make this event so special.”

This will be the fourth game between these two teams on foreign soil. They previously met for preseason games in Taipei and Beijing (2009), and for a regular-season game in London (2017).

The NBA playoffs get underway this weekend and the full schedule won’t be released until the fall, but one Pacers date is already set.

The game will air nationally on ESPN and will also be streamed on Disney+, giving it significant global reach in more than 200 countries and territories — similar to the NBA All-Star Game.

The Pacers had three nationally televised games during the 2025–26 season, down from the nine originally scheduled before the season.

One downside for Pacers season-ticket holders: they won’t get to see three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse next season. This is a designated Pacers home game, a league source told Fieldhouse Files.

It also should result in opportunities for those involved on Pacers game nights — including game operations, stats crew, Boomer, the Pacemates and others.

The Pacers organization has long embraced international opportunities. Just in my 14 seasons covering the team, they’ve played games in:

• Manila, Phillipines | 2013 preseason v Rockets

• Taipei, Taiwan | 2013 preseason v Rockets

• London, UK | 2017 regular season v Nuggets

• Mumbai, India | 2019 preseason v Kings

• Paris, France | 2025 regular season v Spurs

“We are thrilled to be one of the first two teams to play the first-ever game in India and proud to be part of the expanding NBA worldwide footprint of our game of basketball,” Simon, the longest-tenured owner in the NBA, said in 2019.

They’ve also played preseason games in Berlin (1996), Seville (1996), and Beijing (2009).

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These games are typically years in the making. One of the biggest logistical challenges for both teams is completing government paperwork and obtaining work visas — not just for players, but for everyone in the traveling party.

The Simon family went all out in 2025 when the team played in Paris. The team stayed for a week, with events scheduled for spouses and loved ones, along with a special dinner hosted by the organization.

The team also hosted corporate sponsors on the trip.

See Also: My story on the Pacers’ historic journey to India in 2019.

The NBA handles travel for the team and staff members. The flight to Mexico City is less than five hours.

Event organizers are also excited that the game will be played during the week of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations for the third consecutive year.

“The NBA Mexico City Game continues to give fans in Mexico a front‑row connection to the league, its teams and its players,” said Raul Zarraga, Senior VP and Head of Operations of NBA Latin America and Canada. “

“Hosting our 35th game in the country reflects the depth of the NBA’s relationship with Mexico and the role this event plays in bringing the global game to fans locally, across Latin America and around the world.”

Pre-sale tickets will go on sale May 27. Fans are encouraged to visit this link for more information.

Good evening and welcome back to Fieldhouse Files.

One of the best things about living in downtown Indianapolis is that there’s never a shortage of sports. Just last week, a massive new graphic was going up on the JW Marriott even before they had finished taking down the bracket from the men’s Final Four.

I felt that again Monday, when the Indiana Fever announced their latest signing and then, hours later, made three picks in the WNBA Draft. Because just 24 hours earlier, the Pacers wrapped up another season with Game 82 — a 133-121 loss to the Pistons.

We knew heading into training camp last September that this 2025-26 team wouldn’t be a championship contender, but nobody thought it would be this bad.

Historically bad.

Injuries and player availability were the number one factor. In Game 82, three of the nine players who saw action were on two-way contracts.

In total, players missed a combined 429 games due to injury — an absurd number.

As a result, it marked the first time in franchise history the Pacers failed to reach 20 wins (19-63), and just the third time they were held below 25. Historically, this has been one of the league’s most consistent franchises, regularly winning 40-plus games and reaching the postseason.

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Spencer Anderson has been named to the Indiana Business Journal’s annual 40 Under 40 list.

A behind-the-scenes presence, Anderson has quietly played a key role in helping the Pacers search for competitive advantages.

“Well deserved!” tweeted team president Kevin Pritchard.

Anderson, 39, joined the franchise in 2013 and has earned several promotions, rising to Vice President of Basketball Analytics and Strategy. He received his undergraduate, MBA, and law degrees from the University of Iowa.

“I’m constantly curious about how technology, data and analytics can create an edge — whether that’s improving decision-making, optimizing performance or uncovering insights others might overlook,” he said in the IBJ feature.

In addition to Anderson, the Pacers have six others working in data and analytics: Preston Klaus, Colin Barrett, Lauren James, Yashwant Kumar, Hersh Gupta, and Grant Cottingham. Together, the group supports the front office and coaching staff in identifying edges wherever possible.

“Spencer Anderson for fucking president,” Carlisle said back in Jan. 2022 after success with the undersized Terry Taylor, who went undrafted out of Austin Peay.

“Spencer identified him coming out of college as a guy that had very favorable analytic data and we brought him in for a workout. There was not much interest in him around the league.”

Peter Dinwiddie is the last Pacers executive — albeit a former one — to make the list, earning the honor in 2017.

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Once the Indiana Fever re-signed four of their own players — headlined by guards Kelsey Mitchell signing the first supermax under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, worth $1.4 million — they turned to free agency to continue building out their roster.

The latest two additions, whose signings sandwiched the 2026 WNBA Draft, are veteran players who won the 2019 WNBA championship with the Washington Mystics.

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