Three championships in the last four. Two Finals MVPs in as long, and back-to-back regular season MVPs. The WNBA throne definitely still belongs to A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces, and right now, they are still a very strong force at the top.

But as it appears, there may also be a serious emerging competition in Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. According to American sports journalist Nina Mandell in a piece published on Bustle, Caitlin Clark could emerge as a genuine challenger to A’ja Wilson, but only “if she stays healthy.” In that same piece, Mandell also referenced U.S. columnist Christine Brennan, who believes Clark “could go on to have one of the finest and most entertaining seasons any WNBA player has ever had” in 2026. Of course, she’s been in the league for two years.

And quite frankly, all the performances she’s shown are definite signs of what could be if everything went perfectly. Brennan’s optimistic projection, however, hinges on Clark avoiding the injuries that plagued her last season. Her rookie season saw her carry the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016.

It also saw her finish fourth in the overall MVP voting as a rookie. So, as Mandell pointed out, if she does stay fit this season, we might be getting an even better version of that rookie season display. Some thoughts on Caitlin Clark and the upcoming WNBA season. @bustle @ScribnerBooks pic.twitter.com/2wcOmznNvM — Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) April 15, 2026 According to Brennan, “The way Caitlin Clark played in that rookie year, then in USA Basketball qualifying, winning the MVP award, shows her great potential for 2026.” And it’s not just about her shooting.

“It’s more than the three-pointers,” Brennan said. “It’s also the passing and the pace at which she plays.” And of course, she led the entire league in assists and set the WNBA single-season assist record in that rookie season. That season showed what an injury-free run can look like for a player like Clark.

As Brennan puts it, “When she’s on, there is no one like her.” Last season, she could only play 13 games. Her campaign was severely cut short by a cluster of injuries. Most especially, a severe right groin strain ultimately caused her to miss the final games and the postseason.

And despite playing through nagging physical issues and sitting out the majority of the schedule, she still produced high-tier floor general numbers when she was active: 16.5 PPG, 8.8 APG, and 5.0 RPG. Maybe without her absence, the Fever team, who still finished third in the Eastern Conference with a 24-20 record, won the Commissioner’s Cup, and advanced to the WNBA Playoffs semifinals, could have done even better. They actually faced A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces in that semifinal.

And without Clark, they only narrowly lost 2-3 in a five-game series. Definitely, if Clark were present, it could have been an entirely different story. Well, she’s back now and ready.

And God bless the Fever front office, they’ve managed to maintain the team’s core to a large extent. Clark’s presence is definitely good for the season as a whole, because she draws more eyes to the league. The 2026 WNBA season is just about three weeks away now.

Fingers are crossed and many fans of this league are definitely excited for what is to come. Caitlin Clark Declares Title Intent as Indiana Fever Gear Up for 2026 Season The Indiana Fever were gunning for the WNBA championship last year, and made it to the semifinal. But Caitlin Clark’s injury definitely impacted their chances.

Clark herself said, “We were trying to win it all last year, that’s certainly what we’re trying to do this year.” While the team had some notable players who contributed to their 2025 run leave, they have managed to protect and re-sign their absolute core. This includes Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, and Lexie Hull. They’ve also made some notable additions.

This includes Monique Billings from the Valkyries, veteran forward Myisha Hines-Allen from the Wings, and Raven Johnson, who they selected from the draft. Even before all these additions, Clark actually believed that Fever was still going to be a favorite for the championship. “So there’s nothing like playing for the Fever.

I think we’re going to be the favorite to win it all,” CC said. If she stays fit, this team looks ready to contend. The pieces are there, and the belief is certainly growing.