INDIANAPOLIS – If you asked the Indiana Fever earlier this week how they imagined their season’s start, the actual outcome couldn’t have been any better than what transpired Saturday afternoon before a thrilled crowd at Gainbridge Arena.

Caitlin Clark achieved a triple-double, DeWanna Bonner celebrated a personal milestone, and a heated moment added excitement as the Fever triumphed with a commanding 93-58 victory over the Chicago Sky. This 35-point margin marked the second-largest victory in Fever history.

“Definitely a perfect opening day,” Bonner declared after rising to third in the league’s all-time scoring ranks with 7,489 career points.

Having entered the season with high aspirations, fueled by last year’s playoff appearance after a lengthy hiatus, the Fever kicked off a major overhaul. Amber Cox and Kelly Krauskopf were appointed to rejuvenate the front office and began transforming the coaching staff and lineup.

In a series of strategic trades and player acquisitions, the Fever strengthened their roster, including Bonner, Natasha Howard, Sophie Cunningham, Brianna Turner, and Sydney Colson. Last season, the Fever’s roster had only 19 playoff games of experience; this year’s additions boast a total of 195.

The newly appointed coach, former WNBA Coach of the Year Stephanie White, has ties to the Fever’s history, previously serving under Lin Dunn when the Fever claimed their sole championship in 2012.

During the preseason, Clark and her teammates expressed a singular mission: to secure a championship title.

While the Fever cannot clinch a title in May, this impressive win was merely the first of many against a team still vying for a playoff spot. Post-match, speeches from players reflected a collective goal of self-improvement, regardless of the score.

“You can’t get too high, you can’t get too low,” Clark advised. “You just have to stay in the middle.”

Despite a few sloppy moments, such as missed layups and passing miscommunication, the Fever still enjoyed a dominant victory. Clark displayed her usual leadership, accumulating 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, and four blocks. She masterfully balanced her scoring with creating opportunities for teammates, even influencing a play where two defenders left Aliyah Boston unguarded for an easy basket.

Caitlin Clark made history on Opening Day! 🔥 She recorded a triple-double to lead the Indiana Fever to a dominant win. She’s now the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 3 career triple-doubles (41 games) and ties Candace Parker for 3rd-most. pic.twitter.com/50uDmazdo8 — WNBA (@WNBA) May 17, 2025

Boston also had an impressive outing with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks. The Fever had four players score over 15 points, with none surpassing 20, and numerous players were heavily involved in the offense.

“Our team’s balance was strong,” White commented. “I expect we’ll see seven or eight players in double figures on a regular basis. We have a well-rounded group, similar to the Indiana Pacers, making us difficult to defend against.”

Defensively, the Fever were equally formidable. They limited the Sky to 58 points, alongside keeping their shooting percentage at 29.1%. They executed 10 blocks and forced 17 turnovers, a significant improvement from last season’s defensive statistics.

In White’s words, “We were disruptive and played with physicality.”

Bonner, after scoring and passing Tina Thompson to occupy the third spot on the all-time scoring list, celebrated as her teammates embraced her amidst resounding applause.

“That moment was about fully embracing it,” Bonner shared regarding her celebration. “Once back in the locker room, I reminded myself, ‘It’s time to focus on the next goal.’”