The Indiana Fever did not have the 2026 season of their dreams. Indiana was eliminated by Las Vegas in a brutal first round exit for the organization. Perhaps the Fever can feel optimistic about the future after the Valkyries' magical run this season.

Fever guard Caitlin Clark heaped praise on the Valkyries for winning a WNBA championship in their second season of existence.

“What Golden State's been able to do in, you know, such a short period of time, like two years, and to be playing in the [WNBA] Finals like that's a win in itself,” Clark said via Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce. “Not many expansion teams can have those sort of expectations.”

Clark recalled when Valkyries owner Joe Lacob made his bold declaration about when Golden State would win their first title a few years back. The team's championship run makes Lacob look like a genius.

“I remember their owner [Joe Lacob]… he literally said on stage, ‘We're going to win a championship in 5 years or less.' And I was like, ‘I love that.' And here we are, two years later I'm like, ‘Well do I love that?' Because I'm not playing but they are, but that's still awesome. Good for them,” Clark concluded.

However, Caitlin is not the first Fever player to congratulate the Valkyries on their huge accomplishment. Sophie Cunningham already congratulated Gabby Williams for Golden State's impressive victory against Atlanta.

Article Continues Below

Meanwhile, the Valkyries proved that winning a championship doesn't need to take a long time. But for the Fever, winning a championship feels like it could be a long ways away.

Indiana cleaned out the front office after their playoff exit, parting ways with GM Amber Cox. Team president Kelly Krauskopf also stepped down from her role. Fortunately, head coach Stephanie White is expected to return for the 2027 season.

It will be fascinating to see how Indiana approaches the upcoming offseason.