"Fever gotta activate Caitlin Clark for semis": Fans crave for superstar's WNBA playoffs return after stunning first-round win vs Dream 

The Indiana Fever stunned the Atlanta Dream in their 2025 WNBA playoffs first-round series. The Fever were without Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, Chloe Bibby and Damaris Dantas, but managed to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent playoff memory.

The Fever had the worst odds to win the title before the postseason tipped off, but on Thursday, they pulled the rabbit out of the hat in the last few seconds. Indiana trailed by five with 2:32 left, and it seemed like it was headed for a second consecutive first-round exit.

The Dream looked composed and comfortable with their home crown behind them. However, the Fever chipped away, keeping it a one-possession game, and went on a 7-0 run to close the contest.

Right after the final whistle, Fever fans expressed their opinions on X. Many craved for Caitlin Clark to return in the semifinals. The Fever superstar has been out since July and announced on Sept. 5 that her season had ended. Clark was limited to 13 games with multiple injuries.

"Fever gotta active Caitlin Clark for the semis," one fan commented.

Off Brand Kevin Love

@sebbyD27

Fever gotta activate Caitlin Clark for the semis

j

@clarkandari

caitlin has to come back man.

Haize

@Yuji1388683

@nosyone4 Caitlin is coming back next round

John Michaels

@Pecker2002

Fever have to start listing Caitlin as “questionable” even if it’s just to mess with other teams scouting and game plan.

IG: branzino__

@branzino_

Now if Indiana unlocks Caitlin for this next series……

Raheim Singleton

@RaheimSingleton

@RachGall Wow...Just wow! Is the door totally closed for Caitlin Clark to return as this season gets deeper?

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Caitlin Clark cannot play in the WNBA playoffs

The Indiana Fever won't have the luxury to ramp up Caitlin Clark for a WNBA playoffs return. According to the league's rules, a team cannot activate a player not listed on the playoff roster. That process is only permitted during the regular season. Unfortunately for the Fever, they kept Clark off the playoff roster after she announced that her season had come to an end.

The Fever face off against the Aces, who closed the season with 16 consecutive wins. The streak extended to 17 with their Game 1 win over the Seattle Storm. However, the Aces lost in Game 2 after a fourth-quarter collapse and nearly faced the same fate in Thursday's elimination contest.

The Fever dominated the Storm in the regular season (2-0), and will fancy their chances of upsetting Las Vegas, though they would have had a better shot had Clark been available.