Huge Disappointment: Indiana Fever Miss Out on 2026 WNBA No. 1 Pick to Dallas Wings…
In a ping-pong ball twist that stung like a mid-season slump, the Indiana Fever’s dreams of a third straight No. 1 draft pick evaporated Sunday evening during the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery. The Dallas Wings, fresh off snagging Paige Bueckers last year, defied the odds once more by landing the top selection for the second consecutive season. With a league-high 42% chance, the Wings’ victory was chalk, but for Fever Nation, it felt like a gut punch.
The Fever, who ended a seven-year playoff drought thanks to Aliyah Boston (2023) and Caitlin Clark (2024), entered the lottery locked into the 10th spot in the expanded 15-team first round. As semifinalists, Indiana watched helplessly from the sidelines as the lottery shuffled among the bottom feeders: Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky. The Lynx drew second, followed by the Storm, Mystics, and Sky—leaving the Fever to scour the draft’s depths for reinforcements.
“This is a deep class, and we’re excited about our position,” said Fever GM Lin Dunn in a post-lottery statement, striking an optimistic tone. But whispers in Gainbridge Fieldhouse echoed louder disappointment. Fans, still buzzing from Clark’s record-breaking rookie campaign, had fantasized about pairing her with elite prospects like UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez or South Carolina’s Lauren Betts. Instead, the Wings now hold the keys to the draft’s crown jewel, potentially reshaping the Western Conference rivalry.
The lottery’s predictability—matching odds exactly for the fifth time in WNBA history—did little to soothe the sting. As expansion teams Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire join the fray, the Fever face an uncertain offseason amid CBA talks. Free agency looms, and an expansion draft could strip depth from a roster already thin on wings.
Yet, hope flickers. At No. 10, Indiana eyes versatile talents like USC’s JuJu Watkins or Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke—players who could complement Clark and Boston’s dynamic duo. Coach Stephanie White, ever the tactician, emphasized grit: “We’ve built a foundation. Depth wins championships.”
For now, though, the loss lingers. Dallas’ double-dip at the top amplifies the what-ifs, turning Fever faithful’s excitement into a simmering resolve. The 2026 draft, set for April 13, promises drama—but Indiana’s path just got steeper.
