Indiana Fever President Confirms Plans to Sign Injury Replacements, Caitlin Clark’s College Rival Among Candidates Considered for Roster Spot

In a decisive move that signals urgency amid a mounting injury crisis, Indiana Fever President and General Manager Lin Dunn has confirmed that the team will actively pursue signing replacements for its injured players. Among those being evaluated is a name that needs no introduction to women’s basketball fans: Caitlin Clark’s former college rival, a player once deemed her “nemesis,” is officially on the Fever’s radar.

It’s a development that adds both intrigue and tension to an already turbulent start to the 2025 WNBA season for the Fever. With multiple injuries thinning the roster and the team striving to find rhythm with a rookie-led core, Dunn’s confirmation offers clarity on how Indiana plans to navigate the storm. The idea that Clark’s biggest on-court antagonist in college might soon share the same locker room is generating buzz—and for good reason.

The Fever have found themselves in an early season predicament, losing key contributors to injuries at a time when chemistry and cohesion were still forming. Despite the arrival of Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick and the most talked-about rookie in years, the team’s success was always going to be about more than one player. Now, the supporting cast is in flux, and the front office is responding decisively.

“We have to be strategic and smart, but we also have to be aggressive,” said Dunn in a recent interview. “We can’t afford to fall behind in the standings because of injuries. We will sign replacements where needed—and yes, we are absolutely considering every qualified option.”

That includes players with prior WNBA experience, former college standouts who went undrafted or were waived early, and intriguingly, one name in particular who has a complicated history with Caitlin Clark: South Carolina’s Brea Beal. Though Dunn stopped short of naming candidates, multiple league sources have confirmed Beal is being evaluated, as well as other top defenders who could provide immediate depth.

The relationship between Clark and Beal dates back to their electric matchups in college, particularly during the 2023 and 2024 NCAA Tournaments. Beal was often assigned to guard Clark and became one of the few players who could slow her down—if only for stretches. Their on-court battles became headline material, with analysts and fans alike framing Beal as Clark’s “defensive kryptonite.”

During one particularly memorable Elite Eight showdown, Beal’s suffocating defense held Clark to a modest scoring night by her standards, and South Carolina advanced to the Final Four. Though they never exchanged overtly hostile words, the competitive tension between them was evident and widely dissected by commentators. Clark, known for her fiery on-court demeanor, and Beal, whose quiet intensity made her a defensive anchor for Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks, played with contrasting styles that made their matchups feel like must-watch theater.

Now, the prospect of them becoming teammates is both ironic and fascinating. In many ways, it’s a full-circle moment for both players. Beal, who has yet to find a long-term home in the WNBA, could benefit from the very player she once worked so hard to contain. Clark, meanwhile, would find herself collaborating with someone who knows her game inside and out—perhaps even helping her elevate it in practice sessions.

Still, chemistry cannot be taken for granted, and integrating a former rival into a young, evolving team presents challenges. “We’ll be looking not just at skillsets but at personalities, professionalism, and how well someone will fit with the culture we’re building,” Dunn said. “Caitlin is a competitor, and so are we. But this is about the Fever—not individual history.”

This injury-driven necessity also raises broader questions about how teams manage adversity, especially when the spotlight is so heavily focused on a single rookie. Caitlin Clark has handled intense media attention since her college days at Iowa, and that has only amplified since entering the WNBA. Every move she makes is scrutinized, every teammate’s reaction is parsed for chemistry clues, and every loss magnified beyond reason.

Having another high-profile name—even one whose fame came largely from trying to stop her—might relieve some of that pressure, if it leads to wins. From a tactical standpoint, Beal offers something the Fever sorely lack at the moment: wing defense. With several forwards sidelined, Indiana has struggled to protect the perimeter and contain bigger guards. Beal, though not a prolific scorer, built her reputation on grit, hustle, and defensive versatility.

Her addition wouldn’t solve all the Fever’s issues, but it might offer some immediate relief on the defensive end and help stabilize rotations that have been in flux since Opening Day. Indiana is currently near the bottom of the league in opponent field goal percentage and defensive efficiency. Beal, or a player like her, could help tilt that balance back in the right direction.

From a locker room perspective, early indicators suggest that Clark is embracing the professional reality of building success through collaboration—even with old rivals. “This isn’t college anymore,” Clark said when asked last week about former opponents joining her team. “I want to win, and I’ll work with whoever helps us do that. This is about the Fever. It’s not about me.”

That’s the sort of leadership Indiana needs right now. The franchise is trying to build a winner after years of irrelevance, and the early returns have been uneven. Though Clark has dazzled with highlight-reel passes and deep three-pointers, the Fever’s record remains underwhelming. Injuries to key contributors like NaLyssa Smith and Erica Wheeler have only made the climb steeper. If the front office can find the right temporary—or potentially long-term—replacement, it could help the team regain traction.

There’s also the human element to consider. Beal, who has bounced between training camp deals and short-term contracts since leaving South Carolina, is looking for a stable opportunity. Joining a franchise like Indiana—especially during a period of injury-driven need—could be her shot to prove she belongs in the league. It’s a common story in professional sports: rivals turned teammates, grudges set aside for a shared goal.

It wouldn’t be the first time in WNBA history that narrative arcs from college spilled over into the pros, nor would it be the last. In fact, those stories often end up producing the most compelling drama and growth for players. For Clark, learning from a player who knows how to disrupt her rhythm could sharpen her game. For Beal, a new environment alongside the most high-profile rookie in years could reignite her career.

Whether or not Beal is the final signing, the fact that she’s under consideration marks a fascinating turn. It shows that Indiana is willing to put winning first, even if it means testing dynamics that might have once been seen as combustible. It also shows respect for what Beal brings to the table: a defensive IQ and competitive edge that is rare, even among professionals.

Lin Dunn’s message is clear—this season won’t be written off because of a few injuries. The Fever are pushing forward, evaluating all options, and placing a premium on basketball IQ, toughness, and positional need. That approach may lead to unlikely reunions, but it also underscores a larger truth about the WNBA: rivalries don’t last forever, but the pursuit of championships does.

For fans, the potential of seeing Caitlin Clark and Brea Beal wearing the same uniform is sure to be a conversation driver. For coaches, it’s about depth, defense, and making it to the playoffs in a brutal league. For Beal, if signed, it’s a shot at redemption. And for Clark, it’s one more chapter in a journey defined by excellence, evolution, and embracing every challenge—no matter how unexpected.

As the Fever brace for a critical stretch, all eyes will be on Dunn’s next move. Whether it’s Beal or another high-level defender, one thing is certain: Indiana is not backing down. And if this signing becomes official, the WNBA may have a new duo worth watching—not for their rivalry, but for what they might build together.