Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and the U.S. women’s national team are one win away from a World Cup title.

Team USA advanced to the championship game with a 76-66 semifinal win over Spain on Saturday afternoon, surviving another uneven offensive performance and leaning on defense and free-throw shooting to get through.

Now, France is all that stands between Team USA and a fifth straight World Cup gold medal.

The championship game tips off Sunday at 2 p.m. ET (on TNT/TruTv/HBOMax) — I know, not ideal scheduling it on the first NFL Sunday of the season — after France handled Germany 86-64 in the other semifinal.

This win for Team USA wasn’t particularly pretty.

Both teams were held below 40% shooting and Team USA was just 3 for 18 (16.7%) from range despite being a collection of 12 of the best women’s players in the world. They simply haven’t shot it well from deep in this tournament.

They also recorded more turnovers (15) than assists (13), another sign of how disconnected the offense looked for long stretches. And they needed a jumpstart in both halves to get rolling.

That’s where the second unit has come in.

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One hour after Team USA’s World Cup victory over China Friday morning, the WNBA announced that commissioner Cathy Engelbert is choosing to retire at the end of the year.

Talk about a Friday news dump. And not just any Friday — the one heading into Labor Day weekend.

Engelbert became the league’s first commissioner in 2019 and will leave her post after assisting with the transition to her successor.

“After more than seven years at the WNBA and more than 40 total years in business, I have made the decision to retire as WNBA Commissioner,” she said in a statement.

“I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined. I am grateful to the WNBA and NBA team owners and staff, players, investors, fans and the powerhouse league office staff, who believed in what this league could become. I retire with immense gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future of the WNBA, with the best yet to come.”

The league has experienced significant growth during her time leading the league, supercharged by the arrival of Clark in 2024. Since then, it has taken off.

The WNBA expanded from 12 to 15 teams and has plans to add three more by 2030: Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia

“Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball.”

The next commissioner first needs to be able to connect with stakeholders, especially the players. There needs to be a relationship, open dialogue and a mutual respect.

From there, the league needs someone who can lead, has a vision and takes action. The moment is now for the WNBA, and it needs someone with a passion for the game — someone who commands a room and leads with authority.

It’s not an easy job, but the possibilities are intriguing.

Well before Labor Day Weekend officially gets underway, basketball fans were treated to competitive basketball with their morning coffee.

Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and the other 10 members of the U.S. Women’s Senior National Team opened up FIBA World Cup play exactly how you would expect: with depth, balance, and a large margin of victory.

Team USA jumped ahead by 13 points after one and grew its lead to 20 by halftime en route to a comfortable 94-61 victory over China Friday, taking control early and steadily pulling away.

With the tournament being played in Berlin, the game tipped off shortly after 8 a.m. ET so it’s understandable if you were unable to watch. But given Clark’s participation and the interest in the most dominant team in women’s basketball history, all of its games air live on TNT and are being streamed outside a paywall.

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As the Indiana Fever made a push to the FIBA World Cup break, head coach Stephanie White reminded her team to be where your feet are.

Last Friday, the Fever recorded back-to-back wins of at least 20 points by handling the Connecticut Sun by 20 points. They’re 26-14, the most wins in franchise history, and they went into the break on a high note.

Now, as the WNBA hit pause on the season with four games to go, most of the team could finally relax knowing a week of vacation was coming.

White, however, quickly turned the page to her next role — one of three assistant coaches under Kara Lawson for the World Cup in Berlin, along with Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries) and Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury).

Games get underway on Friday — Team USA face China at 8:15 a.m. ET — and White has the first opponent scout.

She had done some prep work, but once her feet were on the plane heading across the Atlantic Ocean, she opened her computer and shifted her attention to Team USA.

Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston headed out the next day, as both players were named to the 12-player roster. They’ve both participated in several USA Basketball camps, but this will be their first time playing in the World Cup.

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The Indiana Fever completed a grueling stretch of five games in eight days over the weekend. And following a 113-90 win in Chicago, they enjoyed four days between games leading up to one last matchup before a three-week break for World Cup play.

The Fever head into the World Cup break on a high note after a 111-91 win over the Connecticut Sun (10-29) on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd of 17,274 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

It was Connecticut’s final visit to Indianapolis in franchise history before the organization relocates to Houston next season, and the Fever eventually turned the night into a rout.

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The Fever started slowly, getting outscored 28-19 in the first quarter to fall behind by nine. And Caitlin Clark took it personally.

You could see it in her eyes — she’d had enough.

Clark made the first bucket in each of the four quarters and had 12 points and five assists in the second period alone. For most players, that would constitute a great game.

But Clark was just getting started.

So was All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell, who scored 15 of her 17 first-half points in the second frame. After having seven turnovers to four made field goals in the opening 10 minutes, the Fever outscored the Sun 39-15 in the quarter to go from down nine after one to up by 15 at the break.

That’s where they seized control of the game and never looked back.

Clark and Mitchell led the way with 34 points apiece, continuing what has become a historic stretch for Indiana’s backcourt. It’s the fourth time they have both scored 30 points or more in the same game, and the second game in a row.

They are the best backcourt duo in league history.

Mitchell also extended her remarkable WNBA-record streak of 24 straight games with at least 20 points. You have to go back more than two months for the last time she did NOT pile up at least 20 in a game.

Mitchell and Clark enter the break ranked second and third, respectively, in scoring among WNBA players.

Clark (34 & 12), meanwhile, posted her fifth game this season with at least 30 points and 10 assists. She’s playing the best basketball of her career — showing great poise, competitive fire, and new moves.

And Makayla Timpson, making her 10th consecutive start, continues to show why the coaching staff made that move. She’s constantly active, getting her arms on the ball, and attacking the basket. Timpson finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Fever have set another single-season record for wins with 26. That’s two more than last season — and there’s still four regular-season games left.

They’re 26-14 and sit fourth in the WNBA standings as the league pauses for the FIBA Women’s World Cup. The 12-player roster includes Clark and Aliyah Boston, and Stephanie White is on the coaching staff.

In my postgame show, I break down the Fever’s explosive second quarter, another huge night from Clark and Mitchell, big contributions from the starters, considerations for the offseason, and where things stand heading into the break.

Those participating in the World Cup head out on Sunday. Everyone else will enjoy some time off before returning to Indy for a few weeks of practice leading into the home stretch.

The Fever resume game action Sept. 18 across the border in Toronto.

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The Indiana Fever are enjoying four days between games, but that couldn’t keep Lexie Hull away from some competitive action.

The Indianapolis Indians, Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, hosted ‘Lexie Hull Night’ at Victory Field on Thursday. She arrived at 5 p.m., walked through the concourse and made her way to the center field plaza.

The gates opened at 5:30 p.m. and two fans told me they arrived by 2 p.m. to be first in line.

Under a navy Indians tent, Hull signed autographs and took photos with fans for more than 45 minutes. She then made her way onto the immaculate grass to visit with team personnel before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at 6:22 p.m. ET.

Just one year ago, Pacers guard T.J. McConnell had the same experience with the Indians.

Hull is no stranger to the ballpark. The Stanford University grad is engaged to Will Matthiessen, who played baseball for the Cardinal. He was a first baseman and, in fact, a 2019 draft selection of the Pirates — taken 184th overall in the sixth round. However, he retired in 2023.

Hull wanted Matthiessen to help get her prepared for the big moment, but they were only able to throw once — late Wednesday.

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The Fever never trailed and built a lead as large as 17, getting an immediate lift from reliable guard Kelsey Mitchell. The MVP candidate erupted for 16 points in the first quarter as they built up a double-digit lead, and she finished with a game-high 29 to extend her streak of consecutive games with 20 points or more to 20.

Mitchell’s night ended early, however, when she went back to the locker room during the fourth quarter after apparently becoming overheated. The temperature inside the arena was a major storyline, with several players complaining about how excessively hot it was on the floor. That also led to excess condensation.

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Caitlin Clark, another MVP candidate, added 27 points and seven assists, though she also committed seven turnovers. Earlier in the day, Clark was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the fourth time this season, more than any other player.

It was a turnover-filled third quarter that allowed for the undermanned Tempo to get back in the game, later getting to within four points with a minute to play.

Indiana did enough offensively to stay in control throughout, then held off Toronto’s late push to secure another road victory. This the second game of a difficult stretch with five road games in eight days.

For the Tempo, it was an 11th consecutive loss despite the energy from a packed building to see Clark and the Fever’s first-ever appearance across the border. Don’t be surprised if the Fever are scheduled to play overseas next season, even if it’s just in the preseason.

Following the Aces’ loss to the Dream, a game that followed this one, the Fever moved into third place in the league standings. The Fever (24-12) have won 10 of their last 12 games, including five in a row — and they continue to build momentum as this road trip rolls on.

The Fever now head down to Dallas for a featured matchup on Thursday, which will air on Prime Video.

Also of note: Fever assistant coach Austin Kelly, who runs the offense, was not on the bench. His wife (and fellow assistant coach), Karima Christmas-Kelly, is already on maternity leave. So Gary Kloppenburg moved to the front of the bench, joining Briann January and Tully Bevilaqua.

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Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White talks to reporters roughly an hour before each game. The WNBA requires both head coaches to be available for questions before and after each game.

White, however, had something she wanted to share.

Before the Fever hosted the New York Liberty Tuesday to Gainbridge Fieldhouse (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), White spoke for two minutes and 15 seconds and didn’t take any questions.

White, now in her second year as Fever head coach, wanted to push back on negative narratives about this team, its togetherness, and reinforce that she always has her players’ backs.

Here’s White’s full statement.

This isn’t necessarily for those people that are in this room. This is more for an online community that’s trying to create narratives that simply don’t exist, trying to create a fabrication or distortion of who I am, of what I’m about.

Our players’ success, our players’ health and wellness, our players’ safety is always a top priority for me. One of the things I pride myself on is my relationships with players.

For those who have anything to say about the play in the last game, I didn’t see the play in real time. I went straight to a press conference. I thought the play got called right. Thankfully, Sophie’s OK. Was it egregious? Absolutely. When you have a chance to watch that over and over and over on replay, you can see that. I didn’t have that in real time.

I take personally any suggestions that I don’t 100% always have my players’ back. I ride with them, 10 toes down, all the time. All the time. They know that.

It’s a shame that we can’t have an opportunity to talk about what great basketball they’re playing — because they are fucking playing.

The reality is, with me, I will always lead with love, I will always lead with grace, I will always lead with humility — and I will always lead with integrity.

Doesn’t mean I’ll always get it right. I’m also human. The hate, the fearmongering, the divisiveness, the stuff that’s trying to hijack our league WILL NOT WIN. [fist pounding on the table for emphasis] It won’t win.

We are united. We are connected. We will not be divided. Every day, these women put their ass on the line. Every day. When they go low, we go high.

Love will win. Grace will win. Humility will win and kindness will win. I stand by them. I will always stand by them. Everybody else can go to hell.

This statement comes one game after Chicago’s DiJonai Carrington was ejected for her hard foul on Sophie Cunningham that was upgraded to a Flagrant-2. It was a blow to the head, both unnecessary and excessive.

In that same game, Caitlin Clark later received a technical foul. However, it was soon rescinded by the league.

You can watch White’s full comments in the video below

Shortly after the press conference with White, the team issued a statement from team president Kelly Krauskopf:

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Caitlin Clark’s technical foul during the Fever’s win over the Chicago Sky was rescinded two hours and 20 minutes after it was assessed. That keeps Clark one technical foul away from reaching the threshold that would trigger an automatic fine and one-game suspension.

It was the correct outcome after a call that never appeared to warrant a technical in the first place. It was issued by a rookie WNBA official.

And while there was some discussion afterward about whether television partners might have had reason to get involved given Clark’s enormous importance to WNBA broadcasts, I don’t believe that was necessary. Every Fever game is nationally televised this season, and the league already has procedures in place to review technical fouls.

The more interesting question now is what happens from here.

Indiana enters Tuesday night with just 12 regular-season games remaining, beginning with a home matchup against the New York Liberty. It’s in the midst of an important stretch that will help determine where the Fever ultimately land in the playoff picture, and before the league pauses for the upcoming World Cup break.

The Fever have to work another new player into the mix.

Veteran center Mercedes Russell has joined the team after Indiana was granted the season-ending injury exception following Damiris Dantas’ knee surgery. Russell provides depth, another option behind Aliyah Boston, as the Fever try to solidify their rotation for the stretch run.

On the latest Fever Files podcast, I went solo to break down Clark’s rescinded technical and why the process played out the way it did, Russell’s addition, the Fever’s playoff positioning, and what I’m watching over these final 12 games.

Watch the full discussion below.

The technical foul assessed to Caitlin Clark in Saturday’s win at Chicago has been rescinded by the WNBA, a league source told Fieldhouse Files.

It was potentially significant because it would have been the eighth called on Clark this season, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension. That would have kept her out of a high-profile ESPN game on Tuesday as the Indiana Fever host the New York Liberty.

The Fever (20-12) are fourth in the WNBA standings, yet just one game ahead of the Liberty, who are in eighth.

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This was a fast appeal, with then the technical foul rescinded just two hours and 20 minutes after it was issued by rookie official Genesis Perrymond, one of five new referees for the 2026 season.

Kudos to the league for handling it so quickly and getting it right in the end. Not only was it incidental contact, but a suspension would have left many people unhappy — ESPN, fans with game tickets, Clark and the Fever.

The team plane wasn’t even off the ground at Chicago Midway when they learned of the news.

Clark was so baffled during the game that she turned to ESPN’s elite announcing duo of Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo as a teammate shot free throws and said “I didn't do anything. I didn't even say anything.”

When Holly Rowe followed up during an on-court interview postgame, Clark was confident it would get sorted out.

“She said I ran into her,” Clark said of Perrymond. “I've already watched it on the tape, so we'll let the league decide. But it wasn't intentional or anything. I'm hoping it's getting rescinded. Nothing was said. I'll see you on Tuesday.”

And Clark was right.

“She intentionally seeked out the official,” she said. “And threw a forearm, that too.”

During the game, White then was issued a technical foul for standing up for Clark in the moment.

“My tech was for saying ‘that’s bullshit,’ even though I heard the F-bomb the whole fucking game. My tech was for saying ‘that’s bullshit.’ That’s a bad call. That’s a bad call.

“Incidental contact when you’re flying out of control. And I thought her teammates should have come up and talked to her about that as well. I think that’s really bad. That shit happens all the time in the game. Officials have to have some awareness in those moments and it didn’t happen.”

Asked about it postgame, Clark added: “I just hope the league makes the right decision and hopefully I can play on Tuesday.”

Although it was corrected, it still cost the Fever two points during the game. The Sky received two foul shots, one for each technical, and Rachel Banham made both.

(My postgame video recap, recorded before the update, is below. Please excuse the audio.)

The Fever held on for a 90-86 win — their 20th victory of the season. Clark finished with 26 points and 11 assists for her eighth double-double this season. Kelsey Mitchell scored 27 to extend her streak to 16 consecutive games with at least 20 points, and Aliyah Boston added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Now, in addition to being cleared to play on Tuesday, Clark also avoids the $1,500 fine that comes with the eighth technical. But she still must be extra careful over the final 12 regular-season games to avoid triggering the automatic suspension with technical No. 8.

The Fever have appealed multiple Clark technical fouls this season, but this is the first one that has been rescinded.

Technical fouls do not carry over into the postseason.

About 20 minutes after the reversal, at 7:39 p.m. ET, the WNBA issued the pool report from the game.

QUESTION: What led to Caitlin Clark's technical in the third quarter?

MAJ FORSBERG: The official deemed that Clark intentionally made contact; therefore, a technical foul was assessed.

QUESTION: How did (the official) know that it was intentional?

MAJ FORSBERG: The league office will review whether any additional penalty should be assessed.

A Flagrant and post on Threads from DiJonai Carrington. Technical foul on Clark. Automatic suspension. Immediate appeal. Technical rescinded. Then a pool report from the officials.

Just another day in the WNBA.

The Indiana Fever had every opportunity to put this one away.

More than once.

First, the chance to deliver a knock-out blow in the first half. Then, all they needed to do was hold on late.

Instead, a series of costly mistakes and two game-altering 3-pointers from veteran guard Chelsea Gray turned what looked like a Fever season sweep into one of their most stunning losses of the season.

The Fever fell 86-84 in overtime to the Las Vegas Aces Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd (17,274) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as Gray sank a buzzer-beater to force overtime — then did it again in the extra session to leave Indy with the win.

You could point to many different reasons why the Fever lost this one — and you’d be right. The Fever led in the closing seconds of both regulation and overtime. The win was in their grasp.

In the final 10.9 seconds of regulation, Kelsey Mitchell went one for two at the foul line, and Caitlin Clark missed both of her tries. One make would’ve sealed it.

Instead, it left the door ajar — and Gray happily stepped through it.

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Damiris Dantas was the last player to join the Indiana Fever in training camp (due to Visa delays) and the first to have her season come to an end.

The veteran center underwent surgery on Monday to repair a torn meniscus in her left knee, the Fever announced on Tuesday. She has been ruled out for the rest of the 2026 season.

Dantas did not accompany the team on their three-game, eight-day road trip this past week. Instead, head coach Stephanie White said last week that Dantas stayed behind for rehab and treatment.

The goal was to minimize symptoms, strengthen the knee and, hopefully, eliminate some of the effects.

“When you go through rehab and you don’t get the desired effects, then you take the next step,” White told reporters before practice on Tuesday.

The next step was surgery consultation.

Dantas has been used sparingly throughout the season, last registering eight minutes in the team’s 110-107 win over the Storm on July 17.

“Certainly, we’ll miss her in the locker room,” White said. “She’s a connector, her personality and she’s a great communicator; she’s a vet. We’ll miss her ability to stretch the floor on the floor. She can knock down a shot, she can give us a different look from that position as well.”

Dantas, who has been in the league since 2014, has spent the last three seasons with Indiana. She’s appeared in 70 games, including 12 this season, but never once started.

The Fever have a full 12-player roster so the front office must now decide whether to apply for the Season-Ending Injury Exception, an addition to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

News and Notes

• Kelsey Mitchell is coming off a career-high 37-point performance, marking the 14th straight game she tallied at least 20 points. The streak goes back nearly two months, beginning June 22 v Phoenix, a game most remember for Clark taking a shot from Alyssa Thomas.

• The WNBA added two expansion franchises this season, and it will add its next in 2028. Cleveland will once again have a team and today, the franchise revealed its name: the Cleveland Sirens. Games will be played at Rocket Arena, home of the Cavaliers.

• The city previously had the Cleveland Rockers, which folded in 2003 after seven seasons. They were one of eight original franchises.

• The other two planned expansion franchises: Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030).

• Congratulations to Ryan Stevens, the former Fever Director of Public Relations, on returning to Indianapolis and joining the Indians — the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates — with the same title. He spent the past season with the Houston Rockets as the senior manager for corporate communications. Stevens was the recipient of the first annual Val Ackerman Award by the Pro Basketball Writers Association to honor the best team media relations official.

📆 WNBA Trade Deadline Passes

The trade deadline passed without much discussion — or much of anything.

The deadline was 3 p.m. ET on Sunday while the Fever were finishing up a featured game in Minneapolis.

The only meaningful deal that was completed across the league: the LA Sparks dealt Kelsey Plum to the Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first, and 2028 second. Plum will be a free agent after this season.

The Fever do not have much cap space, roughly $6,000, and they have a full roster.

✍️ Fever Fill Second Development Spot

Over the weekend, the Fever added Ugonne Onyiah to the roster, signed to the second development contract. Bree Hall returned to the franchise on a development contract back on May 11.

According to the team, she goes by Michelle Onyiah.

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When the Indiana Fever played in Minneapolis just over one year ago, a championship was on the line. It was the Commissioner’s Cup final and the Fever overcame their underdog status to get the win on the road — and leave with the trophy.

This year’s first meeting was very different.

Caitlin Clark was available for the Fever, and Lynx rookie Olivia Miles had emerged as one the top storylines from the first half of the WNBA season.

Sunday’s matchup was the featured game, placed in the national spotlight on ABC. Their first of three matchups this season lived up to the billing and delivered one of the most entertain games of the season.

The teams combined for 69 points in the first quarter, and both shot about 57% in an offensive showcase as the Lynx held off a late Fever comeback.

The Fever (19-11) trailed for most of the game, but used a 14-2 run to trim a 14-point deficit to two with 2:37 to play. Then, the Fever failed to convert.

Aliyah Boston traveled after passing up an open 3-pointer. Clark missed two 3-point attempts on the same possession. Kelsey Mitchell missed another on Indiana’s next trip down the floor.

The Lynx (25-6) were relentless. Their balanced attack, with all five starters reaching double figures, put away the Fever by scoring eight of the game’s final 10 points.

Minnesota is red-hot, sits atop the WNBA standings, and has now won 10 consecutive games after a 108-100 victory.

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It was a late one Friday night, but fans were rewarded for staying up.

The Indiana Fever continued their best stretch of the season, defeating the Portland Fire 112-98 for their season-best fifth consecutive win.

Caitlin Clark led the way with her first triple-double of the season and the fourth of her professional career, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Her final assist came with 33.8 seconds left, Clark finding Makayla Timpson in a pick-and-roll action.

In the Fever’s first visit to Portland this season, back on May 30, they lost 100-84 and Clark was hampered by foul trouble all game. That kept her to a season-low six points.

Clark beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to end the first quarter, which put the Fever in front 27-25. She appeared to fouled on the shot, too, but it was not called.

Clark scored the bulk of her points at the foul line, sinking 14 of 17. Her attempts are up this season (6.3 per game) and last game, she finished a perfect 10 for 10 at the line.

Once again, the Fever overcome a poor start to the second quarter. They outscored the Fire 23-7 over the final six minutes to take a nine-point lead into the locker room.

And then they continued to add to their lead once play resumed in front of a sellout crowd of 19,959 inside the Moda Center.

Kelsey Mitchell matched Clark with 26 points while extending one of the most impressive streaks in the league: 13 consecutive games with at least 20 points and three made 3-pointers.

But this was far from a two-player performance.

Six Fever players scored in double figures as Indiana surpassed 100 points for the 13th time this season. Sophie Cunningham made three 3s and provided 13 points off the bench, while Timpson made the most of her opportunity by contributing 15 points in just 19 minutes.

Another bright spot: Monique Billings. As one of four starters in double figures, Billings finished with 15 points and seven rebounds — her third straight game with at least 12 points.

The Fever know what they’ll get from their Big Three each night. They’re streaking right now due to good health and contributions from role players.

Speaking of the Big Three, it was significant that Aliyah Boston was back out there and played more than 30 minutes after a scary fall last game.

With 4:56 to play in the second quarter of their win on Tuesday in Seattle, Boston landed on her right knee that has been bothering her all season.

She went back to the locker room and did not return to the game, but she did return to the bench for the second half to support her teammates. The team didn't want to risk playing her in the second half and wanted to make sure she is good moving forward.

This was their third and final time playing the Fire in the first 29 games, with the Fever taking the season series 2-1.

The Fever improved to 19-10, climbing up to fourth in the WNBA standings, and have found another level offensively — and in their efficiency — since returning from the All-Star break.

During this five-game win streak, they’ve scored 105 points or more in each game.

The Fever now head to Minnesota to conclude the three-game road trip Sunday (1 p.m. ET, ABC). The Lynx have a league-best 24-6 record, but four of their losses have come at home.

Watch my postgame recap below:

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CHICAGO — The Indiana Fever are the it team in the WNBA, but they did not have any participants in All-Star Friday night.

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Caitlin Clark is adding another first to her growing résumé.

The Indiana Fever star and face of the WNBA will be featured on the cover of the upcoming NBA 2K27 video game.

Clark becomes the first WNBA player featured on her own global premium cover.

“Being on the cover of NBA 2K27 is special because this game reaches fans all over the world,” Clark said in a statement.

“To be the first WNBA player on her own global cover means women’s basketball gets to show up on that stage too, and I am proud to be part of that.”

(Take now how Clark always seems to say the right thing, and never misses an opportunity to elevate the game and the league.)

The company announced on Wednesday that Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs is the cover athlete for the Standard Edition, while Clark will headline the Deluxe Edition and Derrick Rose the Ultra Edition.

“Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose each come from different worlds, but they share the same obsession that has altered the trajectory of the game," said Zak Armitage, SVP & GM of NBA 2K.

"Wembanyama has broken the mold for what a big man can be and keeps breaking it. Clark is pulling up from the logo, not just redefining what range looks like, but the women's game entirely. And Rose changed what it meant to be a point guard - explosive, physical, unstoppable - and when faced with setbacks, his hunger for the game is what brought him back. None of them have an off switch, and that same relentless drive is what defines NBA 2K27.”

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And here’s what Clark looks like in the game:

NBA 2K27 is available now for pre-order.

The Standard Edition will be released Sept. 4 for $69.99. Clark’s Deluxe Edition costs $99.99 and includes early access beginning Aug. 28.

Here’s what is included in the Deluxe Edition:

• Deluxe Edition - $99.99: Headlined by Caitlin Clark and available on PS5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC. This edition includes 100,000 VC****; MyCAREER content (25x 6 Types of Skill Boosts, 25x 3 Types of Gatorade Boosts, Victor Wembanyama Jersey, Caitlin Clark Jersey, and a 2HR 2XP Coin (MyCAREER)); and MyTEAM content (Full ‘27: Series 1 Team Selection, Triple Threat Park Free Agent Pack, 5x ‘27: Series 1 Packs, and a 2HR 2XP Coin (MyTEAM)). Includes Early Access starting on August 28, 2026, up to one week before worldwide release.*

Add NBA 2K to Clark’s strong list of endorsements, which includes (but is not limited to): Nike, State Farm, Gatorade, Wilson, Panini America, Xfinity, Lilly, and Gainbridge.

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The Indiana Fever will not have a representative competing in the 3-point contest at WNBA All-Star Friday night.

That’s despite Aliyah Boston (46.9%), Sophie Cunningham (43.7%), and Kelsey Mitchell (42.3%) being among the league leaders in 3-point percentage this season and all shooting at least three 3s per game.

All three Fever players are also shooting career-high marks from downtown.

The WNBA announced the list of six competitors on Tuesday afternoon.

1. Bridget Carleton (Portland)

2. Azzi Fudd (Dallas)

3. Natisha Hiedeman (Seattle)

4. Rhyne Howard (Atlanta)

5. Marina Mabrey (Toronto)

6. Janelle Salaün (Golden State)

Of note: Howard and Mabrey rank first and second, respectively, in 3-point attempts per game. Carleton is fourth behind Clark.

According to ESPN, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla McBride declined invitations.

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Asked on Sunday at her youth basketball camp whether she had considered participating, Cunningham said she would welcome the opportunity — but hadn’t heard anything.

“I mean, I don’t make any of those decisions,” she said. “I don’t even know who makes those decisions. Whoever makes them, I would like to know sooner than later if I’m doing that because I have plans to be had.

“But I think it’d be a cool opportunity if I get chosen. But there’s a lot of great shooters in our league that deserve it. And so if I’m one of them, awesome. If I’m not, it’s okay.”

Then, below is her tweet after the announcement was made:

Fever guard Lexie Hull competed in 2025. Clark, Boston, Cunningham, and Makayla Timpson were all courtside to support her

The 3-point contest is the primary attraction to All-Star Friday night, which will be held at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The night will also include the Shooting Stars, and those participants will be announced in the coming days.

The league would naturally want Clark and Ionescu involved, but they reportedly elected not to. Instead, they may be prioritizing rest and their health.

One of Clark’s primary sponsors, State Farm, is the title partner of the 3-point contest and they are introducing a new promotion during the contest: Two ball pedestals will be positioned at deep shot locations for “from the logo” shots. Those shots are worth three points rather than the one for every normal made 3.

The two-round event will feature racks at five locations around the arc, including one all-money-ball rack selected by each participant. Regular balls are worth one point, while money balls are worth two.

The two players with the highest first-round scores advance to the championship round.

The league hopefully has more planned for Friday night. The event is enjoyable but traditionally brief, and this year’s program currently includes only the Shooting Stars and 3-point contest.

Last year in Indianapolis, New York swept the two competitions: Natasha Cloud won the skills challenge, while Ionescu won the 3-point shootout. But she will not defend her 2025 title.

Note: Former Pacers PA Announcer Tim Sinclair, who has been with the Bulls since 2020, will serve as the voice inside Wintrust Arena for All-Star Friday night.

More $ For Participants

This will be the first All-Star weekend under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was ratified this past spring.

Here’s what each participant will receive:

• All-Star game: $15,000

• All-Star MVP: $20,000

• 3-point contest: $10,000

• 3-point contest winner: $20,000

• Skills challenge: $7,500

• Skills challenge winner: $12,500

It’s the slowest sports week of the year, and Caitlin Clark is once again giving sports fans something to talk about.

Earlier in the week, ESPN held its annual ESPY Awards in New York City. Clark was not a finalist for Best WNBA Player after winning the award last year because injuries limited her to 13 games last season.

She was recently named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June. Then, on Friday, she delivered her latest jaw-dropping performance in a 110-107 Indiana Fever win over the Seattle Storm.

Just two days earlier, Clark was held to 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting. She made just 1 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc, and the Fever lost to the Golden State Valkyries by 13.

Clark knew this game would be different. She puts in the work daily — on her mind, her body and her game.

When there is alignment, as she felt before tipoff Friday night, good luck to the opposing team.

“I feel like some nights you have it,” she told reporters postgame. “And even before the ball tips, and I felt like it was gonna be one of those for me, obviously. Struggled a little bit getting back into the groove after missing a couple weeks. So I thought this was a good opportunity for me to come out and be aggressive early.”

Clark has experienced plenty of newness over the last year: injuries, being unable to help the team on the court, the isolation that comes with rehabilitation and now following the medical team’s guidance as it strategically manages her workload during this ramp-up.

“Again, I know it’s a boring answer, but the truth is, the reality is that it’s their long term health and wellness is the priority and it always will be,” head coach Stephanie White said pregame.

We know she doesn’t like a minutes restriction; she’d rather play the entire game. But she also has a better understanding of her situation and what it will require for her to be available every night.

Through it all, Clark has leaned on her small support group: family, close friends, a mental coach, a physical therapist, plus the Fever’s medical staff and coaches.

“I feel like you just have to believe you’re gonna have those type of nights,” Clark continued. “And you have to visualize having those type of nights. And I feel like that’s what I did.

“And it’s not always gonna go your way. Sometimes there’s gonna be a stretch where the ball’s not going through the rim, and you can’t get discouraged. And I know all the time in the work that I’ve put in, and people believe in me, and more than anything, I believe in myself.

“And you just gotta dig your feet in a little bit. And when it’s not going your way, nobody cares. Find a way to make it better, and find a way to help your team win, and make this team better.”

Clark delivered a performance those in attendance will not soon forget. She’s not just a hooper; she’s an entertainer. And she continues to be a record-breaker.

You break it, you own it.

That’s the slogan from Nike after her record-breaking college career.

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Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull will trade the basketball court for the baseball diamond next month.

The Indianapolis Indians are holding ‘Lexie Hull Night’ on Thursday, August 27 at Victory Field.

Hull will be on hand as the Indians, the Triple-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, host the Columbus Clippers, part of the Cleveland Guardians franchise.

She is scheduled to sign autographs for fans in Center Field Plaza from 5:30 to 6:10 p.m. Hull will then throw out the ceremonial first pitch as part of the evening festivities.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., and then she’ll return to the plaza to sign more autographs during the first two innings.

Gates open 65 minutes prior to game time, so that would be 5:30 p.m. — and fans hoping to receive an autograph will want to arrive early because the line is likely to form quickly.

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The game also falls on a Thirsty Thirstday, with fans able to enjoy $3 12 oz. Busch Light cans, $3 draft beers and $2 Pepsi fountain drinks.

(Click here to buy game tickets)

The next day, the Fever host the Connecticut Sun at 7:30 p.m. in what will be their final game before the three-week break for the FIBA World Cup. Once action resumes on Sept. 18, the Fever have just four regular-season games remaining.

Hull, a native of Washington, was selected by the Fever with the sixth overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. Before the start of the 2026 season, she signed a new two-year deal with Indiana worth $1.57 million.

She has appeared more than 150 games for the franchise, starting roughly half of them.

Hull is engaged to Will Matthiessen, another former Stanford athlete. Matthiessen played baseball and was drafted by the Pirates in the sixth round with the 184th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. He retired from professional baseball in 2024.

LAS VEGAS — Aliyah Boston won the tip, opened the game with a floater, and delivered a masterful performance as the Indiana Fever captured a 109-75 wire-to-wire win, their second in eight days against the 2025 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.

It was just one week ago, over at nearby T-Mobile Arena, that the Fever held the Aces to a season-low 68 points in a 16-point road win to begin the trip. This time, they ended the trip with their most complete performance of the season — a 34-point crushing blow — in front of a sellout crowd of 10,513 at Michelob Ultra Arena on Sunday evening to end the

And this time, Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson played in a featured matchup that aired nationally on NBC. The reigning Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week both sat out the previous meeting due to injuries.

Clark, who also sat out the game in Phoenix on the second night of a back-to-back, remains on a minutes restriction — about 25 minutes — but says she feels great. The Fever played her in stints of about five and a half minutes, much better than the short bursts in LA. She made her feelings about minutes restrictions clear last year, but her opinion has evolved, and she understands the importance of keeping the bigger picture in mind.

After a rebound from Boston, Clark drained a 3-pointer from 28 feet, and just like that, the Fever led 5-0.

They never trailed.

They took a 59-48 lead into halftime, getting 20 of Kelsey Mitchell’s game-high 27 points before the break. Then the Fever avoided blowing another double-digit lead.

Note: Mitchell has an efficient night in her first return to the arena where her body gave out in Game 5 of the playoff semifinals last fall.

The Aces were playing on a back-to-back, but they had blown out the Mercury by 48 points the night before, and it was a home-to-home back-to-back, which is much easier on their bodies. The Fever still had to play with energy, get stops, and keep pushing the pace.

Las Vegas answered with a 7-0 burst out of the locker room, leading head coach Stephanie White to call a timeout after just 83 seconds. She was fiery in the huddle. The Fever had lost their edge and given up second-chance opportunities.

After the Aces pulled within four, 63-59, the Fever restored order and took over.

Then they cruised to victory.

They used a 23-5 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to regain full control of the game, and the Aces never threatened again.

“I thought our team was tough-minded,” White said postgame. " We withstood that run in the third quarter. We locked down defensively after that. We came into the half, they were shooting almost 52% from the floor. They ended the game with 39%.

“We’re building consistency to these types of efforts. Now, we’re not always gonna shoot the ball the way that we did, but I thought we found the best shot on the floor. And when you do that, your percentages are gonna be higher. So just really proud of this group and how connected we continue to grow into.”

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Their play matched the vision for this team: strong performances from their big three, complemented by a role player stepping up.

In this case, it was Sophie Cunningham. One night after serving as a ring girl at a UFC Fight Night event, the potential Sixth Woman of the Year candidate caught fire from deep. She made 6 of 7 from 3-point range, while the Aces finished 4 of 17. As a team, the Fever were plus-33 from beyond the arc.

“I think that’s what it is to be a pro, is to stay ready,” Cunningham said after her second-highest point total of the season. “When you have megastars on your team, they’re gonna get the majority of the shots, as they should. And so as others, we just gotta be prepared to knock it down when we get the ball.”

Near my media seat, I saw a mother and daughter both wearing a navy t-shirt that read, “Sophie Cunningham Mentality!”

First, though, Boston set the tone inside. She maneuvered smoothly, comfortably, and decisively, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes.

Indiana’s 3s were falling, and at that point, it was pick your poison for the opposing team.

“I think we let our defense spark our offense and then offensively, I mean, we moved the ball, we kept it popping,” said Boston. “I think that’s really just been a focus for us, is just getting the ball reversed, and then it’s gonna find who should shoot it, and I think we did a better job today.”

This is the way.

And to think, Clark didn’t even have one of those massive performances. Of Indiana’s 15 3-pointers, she contributed one. As we know, there’s a lot more where that came from.

The Fever improved to 14-9 on the season, punctuating the four-game road trip with a 3-1 record. Even more, they’ve won four of their last five games.

Sunday’s win over the Aces also marked the start of the second half of the season. They’re not content. White said they would like to be further along in terms of their record, and that their biggest challenge continues to be consistency.

For 40 minutes. From everyone. For the remaining games.

The Fever gave the sellout crowd, along with millions more watching at home, a performance to enjoy. They shot 56% from the field while holding the Aces to 39%. They scored more points in the paint and from beyond the arc. They committed fewer turnovers — just 10 — and still have room for growth.

They have momentum and want to carry it into their next four games leading into All-Star Weekend.

“It’s that defensive intensity, getting stops, letting that fuel our offense,” Boston added. “We wanna play fast, we wanna get the ball up, we wanna get quick 3s and transition. So for us, just make sure we lock in.

“I know we have the Valks next. And so for us, they like to play fast, they like to defend. So once again, making sure that we make them have to guard both sides and not just one.”

Other Notes

• The Fever led 31-22 after 1, getting 10 points early from reserves.

• Myisha Hines-Allen did not play for the first time this season. White said she was dealing with “a family thing.”

• Mitchell has poured in at least 20 points in seven straight games. She ranks third in the league in scoring behind A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum.

• Boston on Mitchell: “I think Kelsey’s awesome. She shows up every single day and she gives us everything she has. And I think just how long she’s been wearing a Fever jersey, I mean, you can see it. She continues to show up every single day. She hoops out of her mind. She is the fastest guard I’ve ever seen in my life. And so for her to continue to do that and make teams guard her, I mean, she deserves a world title.”

• The last line stood out to me, especially. They want her to be part of a championship.

• One day after Fever draft pick Justine Pissott made her WNBA debut, finishing with 19 points (on 7-of-8 shooting) in 10 minutes, she finished with two points in 14 minutes against her former team. The Aces signed her off a Fever development contract.

• Dana Evans made her season debut for the Aces.

• In the stands: Taelon Peter and Jalen Slawson of the Pacers, former Pacer Kendall Brown, several Pacers business executives, Hall of Famers Lisa Leslie and Dawn Staley, Aces owner Mark Davis, Mike Tyson, and UFC President and CEO Dana White.

Pregame Interviews