Women’s basketball is back, and it couldn’t have picked a better opening act. The 2026 WNBA preseason officially kicked off on April 25, 2026, with the Indiana Fever traveling to Brooklyn to face the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. This isn’t just another preseason tune-up — it’s Caitlin Clark’s long-awaited return to the court, and the whole basketball world is watching.
Whether you’re tracking WNBA games today, looking for the Indiana Fever schedule, or just want to know where to watch New York Liberty vs Indiana Fever, you’ve come to the right place.
What Is the 2026 WNBA Preseason Schedule?
The WNBA preseason opened on April 25, 2026, with the regular season set to tip off on May 8. Before the real games begin, teams use this window to experiment with rotations, test new signings, and — if you’re Indiana — ease a certain star guard back into competitive basketball.
The Indiana Fever are set to play their first preseason game at Barclays Center against the New York Liberty on April 25, followed by a return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host the Dallas Wings on April 30. They’ll also host the Nigeria Women’s National Team on May 2.
Here’s the full Indiana Fever preseason schedule at a glance:
- April 25 — at New York Liberty (Barclays Center, 3:00 PM ET)
- April 30 — vs. Dallas Wings (Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 6:00 PM CT)
- May 2 — vs. Nigeria National Team (Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 6:00 PM CT)
All 2026 WNBA preseason games are available on the WNBA website, and WNBA League Pass ($39.99/year) is the most reliable streaming option for catching every game live or on demand.
Where to Watch New York Liberty vs Indiana Fever?
Short answer: ION Network or WNBA League Pass. The game tips off at 2:00 PM CT (3:00 PM ET), broadcast live on ION, with next-day replay available on WNBA League Pass at 5:00 AM CT Sunday.
If you’re a fubo subscriber, you’re also covered — the Liberty vs Fever game is available to watch live on fubo, which offers a free trial.
For international fans or cord-cutters, WNBA League Pass remains the go-to. The platform offers free registration for preseason access, making it easy to catch Fever games today without a cable subscription.
Is Caitlin Clark Playing in the Fever vs Liberty Game?
Yes — and that’s the biggest storyline of the entire 2026 WNBA preseason.
Caitlin Clark declared herself 100% healthy for the 2026 season opener after missing most of last year with injury. Her absence devastated the Fever’s second half of the 2025 season.
To recap what happened: Clark returned to competitive basketball with Team USA in March after not playing since July 15, 2025, when she strained her right groin in a game against the Connecticut Sun. That turned out to be her fourth separate muscle injury during the 2025 season — a brutal run of bad luck for a player who hadn’t missed a single game throughout her entire college career or WNBA Rookie of the Year campaign.
The good news? Clark entered 2026 training camp with full medical clearance. And her 2024 numbers serve as a reminder of just how good she is when healthy — the 24-year-old averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, placing her in the top five in fantasy points per game.
One notable tactical change this season: Clark plans to run the point less often, with Kelsey Mitchell and rookie Raven Johnson likely to take on more ballhandling duties to reduce the physical wear and tear. Smarter load management. Expect Fever head coach Stephanie White to be careful with her minutes early in the preseason.
Indiana Fever Roster 2026: Who Are the Key Players?
The Indiana Fever roster heading into 2026 is arguably the most talented the franchise has assembled in years. Here’s who to watch:
Caitlin Clark (Guard) — The face of the franchise and the player who transformed women’s basketball viewership. Her rookie season in 2024 broke WNBA attendance and TV records. After a difficult 2025, she enters 2026 motivated and healthy. Clark remains the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer and is widely regarded as one of the greatest collegiate players in the history of the women’s game.
Aliyah Boston (Center) — One of the best two-way bigs in the league and a cornerstone of Indiana’s future. Boston signed a four-year, $6.3 million extension with the Fever — the largest total salary contract in WNBA history at the time of signing. She has averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks across three WNBA seasons. She’s only 24. That’s scary.
Kelsey Mitchell (Guard) — Mitchell was re-signed as an All-Star guard and forms one-third of Indiana’s core alongside Clark and Boston. Her ability to create off the dribble gives the Fever a secondary offensive option that doesn’t rely entirely on Clark’s shot creation.
Raven Johnson (Guard, Rookie) — Johnson was selected in the 2026 WNBA Draft, and early training camp reports highlight her defensive tenacity and willingness to learn from championship-level teammates. She projects as a key piece in reducing Clark’s ballhandling burden.
Other notable Indiana Fever players include Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham, Makayla Timpson, Myisha Hines-Allen, and Monique Billings.
New York Liberty Players to Know in 2026
The NY Liberty came into 2026 on a mission. After a disappointing first-round playoff exit in 2025 — despite being 2024 WNBA champions — the team retooled aggressively.
Breanna Stewart (Forward) — Simply one of the best players on Earth. Stewart just helped Fenerbahce win the EuroLeague women’s title before returning to the Liberty, on top of an Unrivaled championship earlier in the year. She walks into preseason with more competitive minutes than anyone else on the court.
Sabrina Ionescu (Guard) — The Liberty re-signed their superstar trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones to multiyear deals. Ionescu remains one of the best point guards in the league, and her three-point shooting will stretch Indiana’s defense thin.
Jonquel Jones (Center/Forward) — The defensive anchor and interior presence who neutralizes opposing bigs. Expect a fascinating matchup between Jones and Aliyah Boston at both ends of the floor.
Satou Sabally (Forward) — The new addition who arguably makes the Liberty even scarier. The Liberty established themselves as early free agency winners by signing three-time All-Star Satou Sabally, adding another star to an already loaded lineup. Her versatility on defense makes New York harder to exploit on the perimeter.
Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty: Match Player Stats & What to Expect
This isn’t a matchup between two mid-tier teams scrapping for a playoff spot. This is a genuine battle of rosters loaded with All-Stars, championship experience, and individual stars who attract fans regardless of the scoreboard.
The Fever vs Liberty matchup has been dubbed a “battle of Big Threes” — Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston leading Indiana against Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones.
From a tactical standpoint, a few individual matchups will define the game:
- Clark vs New York’s perimeter defense — The Liberty have the personnel to throw multiple looks at Clark. With Johnson and Mitchell as secondary handlers, Indiana doesn’t need Clark to dominate possession to score efficiently.
- Boston vs Jones — Two high-IQ bigs who both impact games without relying on raw athleticism. This is a chess match, not a dunking contest.
- Satou Sabally’s defensive assignment — Her versatility allows New York to switch across multiple positions, which could disrupt Indiana’s spacing if the Fever’s new rotations aren’t sharp yet.
Indiana went 1–3 against New York in the 2025 regular season, so there’s some history here. Expect the Fever to come out motivated.
What Are the Current WNBA Standings?
The 2025 season is now settled history, with the WNBA’s 2026 regular season beginning May 8. Looking at where things stand heading into the new year, Indiana finished the 2025 regular season with a 24–20 record (3rd in the Eastern Conference), while the New York Liberty went 27–17 (2nd in the East). The Fever made a remarkable run to the WNBA Semifinals — doing so largely without Caitlin Clark.
The 2026 Eastern Conference could come down to Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty, and Indiana Fever, all of whom have the talent to contend for the top seed. WNBA scores from last season showed just how competitive the East was — and 2026 looks even tighter on paper.
How Many WNBA Games Are in the 2026 Season?
Each of the league’s 15 teams will play 44 games in the 2026 regular season, for a record total of 330 WNBA games. The league has expanded to 15 teams with the addition of the Portland Fire and the continued growth of franchises like the Golden State Valkyries.
As WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert noted, the league is coming off a landmark 2025 season defined by incredible basketball and countless memorable performances, with an unprecedented lineup of linear and streaming partners ready to showcase the talent on the floor in 2026.
Why the Fever vs Liberty Game Matters Beyond the Score
Let’s be real — this is a preseason game. Nobody’s going to remember the final score in November. But it matters for a few reasons that go beyond box scores.
First, Caitlin Clark on a basketball court is an event. Her impact on women’s basketball has been labeled the “Caitlin Clark effect” — she has helped popularize the sport to a degree rarely seen in professional women’s sports. TV ratings, attendance records, and merchandise sales all surged during her presence on the court in 2024.
Second, the Liberty-Fever rivalry is one of the most compelling in the league. Both teams are legitimate title contenders, and both fanbases are passionate, loud, and deeply invested. A preseason matchup at Barclays Center is essentially a free preview of what could be a deep playoff run collision in the fall.
Third, it signals the start of something bigger. The WNBA opening this week is the starting gun for a 330-game regular season that could be the most-watched in league history. The storylines are already writing themselves.
Quick Facts: Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty (2026 Preseason)
- Date: April 25, 2026
- Tip-off: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
- TV: ION Network
- Stream: WNBA League Pass (free registration for preseason)
- Indiana Fever record (2025): 24–20
- New York Liberty record (2025): 27–17
- Regular Season Start: May 8, 2026
- Key Storyline: Caitlin Clark’s return to competitive play after a 9-month injury absence
Women’s basketball doesn’t ease you in gently — it opens with a headliner. Whether you’re a die-hard Fever fan who has been waiting since July, a Liberty supporter convinced your team has unfinished championship business, or just a casual fan curious about what all the Caitlin Clark fuss is about, this is the game to watch. Set your reminder, find ION on your cable guide, and enjoy the return of the best thing happening in professional basketball right now.
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