Caitlin Clark and the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever are out of the WNBA playoffs.
The postseason will continue without the superstar and her teammates after they lost to the defending champion and No. 3 seed Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Oct. 1, in Las Vegas. Indiana was not able to avenge a 2025 semifinals loss to the Aces. The Fever were defeated in the decisive Game 3, 94-83
, just days after evening the series on Tuesday, Sept. 29.Indiana was facing elimination after Las Vegas won 102-85 on Sunday, Sept. 27. Reigning MVP A'ja Wilson churned out a historic performance that helped propel the Aces to victory. On Tuesday, the Fever won 99-89 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, extending a magical season for Clark. Clark churned out a historic near
triple-double against Las Vegas, keeping Indiana's season alive.
With Indiana's season now complete, fans may wonder: What's next for Clark? Here's what is on the horizon:
Caitlin Clark's WNBA offseason plans
It's unclear what Clark's offseason may look like from day to day, but she'll likely continue her golf journey in her downtime. The 24-year-old has not been shy about hanging out on the golf course. Clark also has two huge milestones to look forward to. On Thursday, Oct. 1, her Nike signature shoe, the "Caitlin 1," will drop, footwear years in the making.
"Obviously, I play in a lot of (Kobe Bryant shoes), but at the same time, I don't want it to be a (Kobe Bryant shoe). I want it to be unique to me and a little bit different," Clark said in 2025. "I kind of think about what's kind of been important to me when I think about shoes or sneakers. I think just the chaseability of them, and you want a certain sneaker, or you want a certain colorway. So, I think that's going to be probably the most fun part …"
Then on Tuesday, Nov. 3, a children's book based on Clark's life will be published. The rhyming verse book, entitled "EXTRAordinary! A Little EXTRA to Reach BIG Dreams," will share a message about the importance of giving extra effort and having support along the way. It was inspired by a phrase that hung above a mirror in Clark's childhood room: "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little EXTRA."
"Basketball has given me so many incredible opportunities, but what has always meant the most to me are the people who've supported me along the way," the Fever star said. "I hope this book reminds kids that they're never alone in chasing their dreams and that giving a little extra to the people and moments is what makes them EXTRAordinary."
Caitlin Clark contract details
In April, the Indiana Fever exercised their fourth-year club option on Caitlin Clark, putting her under contract through the 2027 season. Per Her Hoops Stats, Clark's 2026 salary was $528,846. In 2027, it's expected to be $597,596.
However, the club option also enables the WNBA superstar to renegotiate her fourth-year salary and agree to a three-year contract extension. The move is allowable under the EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision placed in the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement earlier this year. The EPIC provision in the league's new CBA allows players to negotiate a contract extension in the final year of their rookie contract if they're named to the first- or second-team All-WNBA or Most Valuable Player in their first three years. Clark qualifies because she made the first-team All-WNBA in 2024. Although not technically official yet, it's widely assumed Clark will be in Indiana again next season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's next for Caitlin Clark? Playoff exit jump-starts WNBA offseason
