History of Indiana Fever in Timeline

The Indiana Fever are a professional women's basketball team based in Indianapolis, competing in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. Founded in 2000, the Fever are owned by Herb Simon, who also owns the Indiana Pacers. They represent Indiana in the premier women's basketball league in the United States.

June 7, 1999: WNBA Announces Indiana Expansion Team

On June 7, 1999, the WNBA announced four new expansion teams, including one in Indiana, to coincide with the opening of Gainbridge Fieldhouse (then Conseco Fieldhouse).

1999: Logo Creation

In 1999, the Indiana Fever's logo was created by designer Todd Radom.

2000: Chris Denari Becomes Play-by-Play Announcer

In 2000, Chris Denari started his role as the Play-by-Play Announcer for the Indiana Fever.

2000: Indiana Fever Inaugural Season

In 2000, the Indiana Fever team began their inaugural season, coached by Anne Donovan and Nell Fortner, and led by center Kara Wolters, posting a 9–23 record.

2000: Indiana Fever Founded

In 2000, the Indiana Fever were founded as a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis to compete in the WNBA.

2001: Tamika Catchings Drafted, Suffers Injury

In 2001, the Fever drafted University of Tennessee star Tamika Catchings in the WNBA Draft. However, Catchings tore her ACL during a college game and missed the entire WNBA season, resulting in a 10–22 record for the Fever.

2002: Offseason Changes for the Fever

During the 2002-2003 offseason, the Fever added Natalie Williams and Kelly Miller. Coach and GM Nell Fortner resigned, with Kelly Krauskopf replacing her and hiring Brian Winters as head coach.

2002: Tamika Catchings Wins Rookie of the Year

In 2002, Tamika Catchings had a breakout season, winning Rookie of the Year honors and making the WNBA All-Star team. The Fever posted a 16–16 record, earning their first playoff appearance and losing to the Liberty two games to one.

2002: Tamika Catchings Emerges as Franchise Player

Since 2002, Tamika Catchings had been known as the Fever's franchise player.

May 29, 2003: Fever Register First Sellout

On May 29, 2003, the Indiana Fever registered their first sellout with 18,345 attendees and defeated the Washington Mystics on national television.

2004: Fever Miss Playoffs

In 2004, the Indiana Fever finished with a 15–19 record and missed the playoffs by one game in the Eastern Conference.

2005: Fever Have Best Season, Win First Playoff Series

In 2005, the Indiana Fever had their best season since joining the league, posting a 21–13 record and making the playoffs. They swept the New York Liberty in the first round, earning their first playoff series victory. They lost to the Connecticut Sun in the Eastern Conference Finals.

2006: Fever Acquire Draft Picks

During the 2005-2006 offseason, The Fever selected La'Tangela Atkinson and Kasha Terry in the 2006 WNBA draft.

2006: Fever Make Playoffs, Tamika Whitmore Scores Record 41 Points

In 2006, the Indiana Fever started the season 4-0 and made the playoffs with a 21–13 record. Tamika Catchings and Tully Bevilaqua led the league in steals. Tamika Whitmore scored a WNBA Playoff record 41 points in Game 2 against Detroit, but the Fever lost the series.

March 22, 2007: Fever Sign Tammy Sutton-Brown

On March 22, 2007, the Fever signed key free agent center Tammy Sutton-Brown.

October 26, 2007: Brian Winters' Option Declined

On October 26, 2007, the Fever announced that they declined the option for head coach Brian Winters.

December 12, 2007: Lin Dunn Named Head Coach

On December 12, 2007, assistant coach Lin Dunn was named head coach of the Indiana Fever, succeeding Brian Winters.

2007: Catchings Injury and Playoff Run

In 2007, The Fever started off the season strong, winning 16 out of their first 20 games. On July 20, Tamika Catchings injured her foot and missed the rest of the regular season. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Catchings tore her Achilles tendon in game 3.

February 19, 2008: Fever Trade for Katie Douglas

On February 19, 2008, the Fever traded Tamika Whitmore and their first-round pick in the 2008 WNBA draft for Indianapolis native, Katie Douglas.

July 19, 2008: Fever Participate in Liberty Outdoor Classic

On July 19, 2008, the Indiana Fever won the Liberty Outdoor Classic against the New York Liberty, 71–55, in the first regular-season professional basketball game played outdoors at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York.

2008: Fever Struggle and Lose in First Round

During the 2008 season, the Indiana Fever struggled, finishing with a 17–17 record and losing to the Detroit Shock in the first round of the playoffs.

2009: Fever Reach WNBA Finals

In 2009, the Indiana Fever reached the WNBA Finals but lost to the Phoenix Mercury in game 5.

2010: Fever to Remain in Indianapolis

In 2010, because of the success in 2009, the Fever announced they would remain in Indianapolis.

2011: Fever Season Confirmed in Indianapolis

In 2011, the Fever's season in Indianapolis was confirmed.

2012: Kelly Krauskopf Promoted to President

After the Fever won the 2012 WNBA championship, general manager Kelly Krauskopf was promoted to president of the franchise.

2012: Fever Win WNBA Title

In 2012, the Indiana Fever advanced to the 2012 WNBA Finals and defeated the Minnesota Lynx, 3 games to 1, winning their first WNBA title.

2015: Fever Reach WNBA Finals

In 2015, the Indiana Fever reached the WNBA Finals for the third time, but lost to the Minnesota Lynx in game 5.

2015: Fever Reach Finals, Fall Short to Lynx

In 2015, the Indiana Fever reached the finals for the third time in franchise history, but lost to the Minnesota Lynx in five games.

November 18, 2016: Pokey Chatman Announced as Head Coach

On November 18, 2016, the Fever announced Pokey Chatman as their new head coach.

2016: Playoff drought begins

In 2016, the Indiana Fever began a playoff drought that lasted until 2024.

2016: Fever Upset in Playoffs, Catchings' Final Game

In 2016, the Indiana Fever made it to the playoffs for the 12th consecutive time, but were upset in the first round elimination game against the Phoenix Mercury. This game marked the final game of Tamika Catchings's playing career.

February 2017: Fever Trade for Candice Dupree

In February 2017, the Indiana Fever traded for five-time all-star Candice Dupree along with the Mercury's 2017 first-round pick in a three-team deal.

August 12, 2017: Fever Suffer Largest Defeat in WNBA History

On August 12, 2017, the Indiana Fever were defeated 111–52 by the Minnesota Lynx, the largest margin of defeat in WNBA history, and allowed a league record 37–0 scoring run.

2017: Chris Denari steps down

In 2017, Chris Denari stepped down from the role as the Play-by-Play Announcer for the Indiana Fever.

2018: Fever Finish Last Place

In 2018, the Indiana Fever finished in last place with a 6–28 record.

March 4, 2019: Allison Barber Named President and COO, Catchings Named VP

On March 4, 2019, Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced Allison Barber as the new president and chief operating officer of the Fever, while Catchings was named vice president of Fever Basketball Operations.

November 27, 2019: Marianne Stanley Introduced as Head Coach, Catchings Promoted to General Manager

On November 27, 2019, Marianne Stanley was introduced as the head coach of the Indiana Fever, and Tamika Catchings was promoted to general manager.

2019: Fever Announce Move to Hinkle Fieldhouse

Near the end of the 2019 season, the Fever announced that they would move their home games to Butler University's Hinkle Fieldhouse for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, plus at least part of the 2022 season, to accommodate renovations of Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

2020: Season Played in IMG Academy Due to COVID-19

In 2020, the WNBA season was played in IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Fever Split Home Games Between Fieldhouse and Coliseum

For the 2021 season, the Indiana Fever played their first four home games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, before playing the remaining home games at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

February 14, 2022: Tamika Catchings Steps Down

On February 14, 2022, Tamika Catchings resigned from her position as the vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the Indiana Fever.

February 24, 2022: Lin Dunn Appointed Interim General Manager

On February 24, 2022, Lin Dunn, former Fever coach and WNBA title winner in 2012, was appointed as the interim general manager and senior advisor for Fever basketball operations.

2022: Struggles and Top Draft Pick

In 2022, the Indiana Fever struggled, ultimately leading to them earning the top WNBA draft pick.

2023: Fever Draft Aliyah Boston

In 2023, the Indiana Fever chose Aliyah Boston from South Carolina with the number one pick in the WNBA draft, after struggling that season as well.

October 27, 2024: Christie Sides Departure

On October 27, 2024, the Fever announced that they had parted ways with head coach Christie Sides, who had a 33-47 record during her tenure.

November 1, 2024: Stephanie White Returns as Head Coach

On November 1, 2024, the Fever announced the return of Stephanie White to the organization as head coach.

2024: Fever Draft Caitlin Clark, WNBA popularity soars

In 2024, the Indiana Fever chose Caitlin Clark first overall in the WNBA draft. This led to a significant surge in interest in the team and the WNBA, with TV ratings for the 2024 WNBA draft overshadowing games played over the prior 25 seasons.

2024: Fever's Turnaround Season with Clark

In the 2024 season, the Fever had a significant turnaround, going 20–20 and making the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Fever home games drew an average of over 17,000 fans in 2024. The Fever also drew strongly on the road and set virtually all of the WNBA television records. Clark averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game.