The Indiana Fever made it into the WNBA playoffs this season, but didn’t last long in those playoffs, being ousted by the Connecticut Sun in two straight games.

A regular-season record of 20-20 marked improvement from the previous two recent seasons producing five wins and 13 wins.

The giddy, glorious first-year run of the Fever and guard Caitlin Clark ended with many notable achievements, and now is officially on hiatus. Clark, the 6-foot, rookie-of-the-year, offered an on- and off-court boost to the Fever the likes of which has rarely been seen across professional sport.

Clark was the league’s overall No. 1 draft pick after a record-setting career at Iowa, setting the NCAA points record and leading the Hawkeyes to two straight title games. She barely had time to inhale between the conclusion of her college season and the start of her pro season.

There is a good chance she will sleep in late for a while at the beginning of this off-season. However, she also has thought about investing time in a hobby.

“Maybe I’ll play some golf until it gets too cold in Indiana,” Clark said at her season-ending interview Friday, joking she might turn pro in that sport.

Clark, center Aliyah Boston and guard Kelsey Mitchell were all All-Stars and are essential to the growth of the club.

“We definitely have the pieces to have some great years ahead of us,” coach Christie Sides said.

Clark and Mitchell, threats from 3-point-range, each averaged 19.2 ppg. Clark averaged a league-leading 8.4 assists. Boston averaged 14 points and 8.9 rebounds. The one worry is that Mitchell is a free agent and can cut a fresh deal with another team.

Forward NaLyssa Smith started 37 games, averaged 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. But there are indications of friction between Smith, taken second in the draft by the Fever out of Baylor in 2022, and the team. Although in style she is a good match with the Fever, she could be traded.

The other forward spot is a question-mark. Lexie Hull claimed a starting role over time, but is more naturally a guard. Katie Lou Samuelson held one forward spot, but the new mother, who had some health problems, steadily faded as a go-to player and must sharpen her game all over again.

Off the court, the Fever could not have been a bigger hit. The team sold out 17 of 20 home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 17,274. TV ratings were robust. The sale of team jerseys – especially honoring Clark – and other team souvenirs, crushed expectations.

The Fever, with Clark under the brightest spotlight, were like roaming rock stars everywhere. The Fever uplifted women’s basketball and the profile of the league constantly.

Clark said she can use time to decompress, reflect on the final year of her college career, and re-set her body. Then she will begin working on her game again.

Clark had too many turnovers and needs to cut down on those mistakes, shot 41.7 percent from the field, and can improve on that figure. She was in danger of an automatic game suspension from obtaining too many technical fouls. When the focus will start for 2025, is unknown.

“I’m sure I’ll get bored and pick up a basketball again,” Clark said.

General manager Lin Dunn said she never doubted she would select Clark with the top draft pick last April 15 and Dunn said she knew Clark would play well right away.

“I wasn’t surprised,” Dunn said. Watching Clark from sophomore year on, Dunn said, her attitude was, “How in the world were we going to get this player?”

Second-year guard Grace Berger, the former Indiana University star who was a Fever first-round pick in 2023, faded in the playing rotation, but said absorbing the scene was remarkable.

“It’s definitely tough to not play,” said Berger, who was a more integral piece of the lineup the year before and is on her way to Turkey to play professionally. “You have to have confidence things will work out in the future.”

The big crowds, hero worshipping fans, demand for tickets, and high television ratings, were all high points.

“I hope it becomes the norm,” Berger said of the growth in women’s basketball. “It should be, I think. With more eyes on the WNBA, people began to fall in love with it. People are realizing how great a product it is, how it is just as exciting as the men’s game, how it’s just as exciting as the college game.”

This is a youthful Fever team that rallied from 1-8 start to the sixth-best record in the WNBA. This was Indiana’s first playoff appearance since 2016. The team has won one title in its 25-year history and Dunn wants the group to step into championship contention next year.

That will mark the third year of Dunn’s commitment to rebuilding and possibly the last year of her basketball career when her contract expires.

“I like it when plans work,” Dunn said. “I’m really pleased with the progress.”

However, the sweet ride of 2024 must be aided and abetted by fresh personnel and for sure the retention of Mitchell. Otherwise, the arrow the growth-chart arrow might not point up.