Fever Coach Wants Caitlin Clark to Play with Joy in 2026 Season

Stephanie White hopes the star guard can rediscover her passion after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:51pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting the action and movement of a WNBA basketball game, with the players and court deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes.A cubist interpretation of the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of a WNBA matchup between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky.Indianapolis Today

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White wants superstar guard Caitlin Clark to play with joy and passion in the upcoming 2026 WNBA season. Clark missed significant time last year due to injuries, and White believes the time off took a mental toll on the dynamic young player. White hopes to see Clark return to the form that made her one of the league's most exciting talents.

Why it matters

Clark is the centerpiece of the Fever's roster and one of the WNBA's biggest stars. Her health and happiness are crucial not just for the Fever, but for the league as a whole. If Clark can rediscover her joy for the game, it will make the Fever a more formidable opponent and provide a boost to the WNBA's profile.

The details

White commented on Clark's mindset, saying 'I want to see her play with joy. I want to see her enjoy the opportunity that we have, and this team that we have, and go out and do what she does best.' The coach believes the injuries and time off last season were tough on Clark mentally, and wants to see her return to the carefree style of play that made her a superstar.

  • The Indiana Fever's training camp for the 2026 WNBA season began on April 19, 2026.
  • Clark recently competed for Team USA in the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament, where she was named MVP.

The players

Stephanie White

The head coach of the Indiana Fever, who is hoping to see star player Caitlin Clark return to form and play with joy in the upcoming season.

Caitlin Clark

The superstar guard for the Indiana Fever, who missed significant time last season due to injuries and is looking to bounce back in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think for somebody like Caitlin, it matters how many games you have. She does what she does. I think the thing that I want to see, is I just want to see her play with joy.”

— Stephanie White, Head Coach, Indiana Fever

“It was such a hard year a year ago—when you're going through injuries, it's tough, when you're in and out, it's tough, when you're not able to do what you love, it's tough. So I want to see her play with joy. I want to see her enjoy the opportunity that we have, and this team that we have, and go out and do what she does best.”

— Stephanie White, Head Coach, Indiana Fever

What’s next

The Fever will continue their training camp in preparation for the start of the 2026 WNBA season, with a focus on getting Caitlin Clark back to full health and playing with the joy and passion that made her a superstar.

The takeaway

Caitlin Clark's health and happiness are crucial not just for the Indiana Fever, but for the WNBA as a whole. If the dynamic young guard can rediscover the joy of the game after an injury-plagued 2025 season, it will make the Fever a more formidable opponent and provide a boost to the league's profile.