As the Indiana Fever returned to the practice court following their season opener, the mood was focused, energized, and optimistic. During the team’s media availability, players and coaches took time to reflect on their first official game of the WNBA season, assess areas of growth—especially on the defensive end—and outline the steps needed to continue building chemistry and momentum.

Here’s what we learned from the Fever’s post-practice comments.

Reflecting on the Season Opener: Lessons, Not Losses

Despite a hard-fought loss in the opener, the team emphasized growth over disappointment.

“We saw a lot of good things, especially how we responded after a slow start,” said head coach Christie Sides. “We’re a young team, and every game is going to be part of the process.”

Rookie guard Caitlin Clark, who made her WNBA debut with a mix of highlight-worthy moments and learning curves, echoed that sentiment.

“It’s about getting better every day,” Clark said. “The game’s faster, the defense is tougher, but that’s what I signed up for. I’m ready to adjust and compete.”

Clark also noted how valuable it was to be out there with her teammates in a real-game setting, emphasizing communication and pacing as key areas of focus.

Focus on Defense: “We’re Buying In”

One major point of emphasis during practice—and the press session—was defense. While the Fever have offensive talent, improving on the defensive end is a team-wide priority.

“It’s effort, it’s communication, it’s pride,” said veteran forward NaLyssa Smith. “We’ve been working hard on rotations, closing out, and staying locked in for 40 minutes.”

Coach Sides added that she saw significant growth from preseason to Game 1, particularly in transition defense and help-side awareness.

“Defense is where we’re going to win games. That’s our foundation,” she said.

Team Chemistry: Building Brick by Brick

With a roster full of youth and recent additions, including Clark, the Fever are still in the process of building cohesion. Players spoke openly about the importance of learning each other’s tendencies, building trust, and understanding the system.

“We’re getting more comfortable every practice,” said center Aliyah Boston. “The more reps we get together, the better we’ll be.”

She also pointed out that while the team is still learning how to close out games, the effort and energy are there—and that’s the most important place to start.

Looking Ahead: Stay Patient, Stay Focused

Everyone—from players to coaches—agreed on one thing: this is a team on the rise, and the work they’re putting in now will pay off.

“We’re not satisfied, but we’re encouraged,” said Coach Sides. “This group is hungry, and we’re going to keep building until we get where we want to be.”

Clark, too, made it clear that the focus is long-term:

“It’s not about one game. It’s about the season. And we’re just getting started.”

Final Thoughts: The Foundation Is Set

The Fever may not have started the season with a win, but their tone during media availability made one thing clear: this is a team committed to growth, grounded in accountability, and focused on becoming a complete team on both ends of the floor.

With strong leadership, rising talent, and a clear identity forming, the Indiana Fever are laying a foundation for long-term success—one practice at a time.