After a slew of big offseason moves, expectations are high for the Indiana Fever heading into the 2025 season. Star guard Caitlin Clark is embracing them. 

Asked in a Wednesday news conference if the Fever are discussing winning a championship this season, Clark said, “Yeah, absolutely.”

When a reporter asked a follow-up question about what success would look like in 2025, Clark said, “A championship.”

Last season, the Fever went 20-20, making the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Clark sparked the turnaround. In 40 regular-season games, she averaged 19.2 points per game, 8.4 assists per game and 5.7 rebounds per game, winning Rookie of the Year. 

The Connecticut Sun swept the Fever in the first round of the playoffs. To become an elite team, Indiana went all-in this offseason. 

The Fever parted ways with head coach Christie Sides and replaced her with Stephanie White. In two seasons with the Sun, White went 55-25, winning Coach of the Year in 2023. 

Indiana also upgraded its roster, signing forwards DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard. Both bring championship pedigree to the Fever. 

Bonner won two championships with the Phoenix Mercury, while Howard captured one title with the Minnesota Lynx and two with the Seattle Storm. 

However, that hasn’t made the Fever a clear favorite to win a championship. As of Wednesday, ESPN Bet gives the New York Liberty the best odds (+230) to repeat as champions.

The Fever and the Las Vegas Aces are tied for the second-best championship odds (+350). The Aces, of course, have won two titles over the past three seasons.

Winning a championship is a lofty goal for the Fever. But with an improved roster and an exceptional talent in Clark, it may not be an unrealistic one. 

Indiana has its first preseason game at home against the Washington Mystics on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. It tips off the regular season against the Chicago Sky on May 17. The Fever can show why they’re a contender this season in both matchups.