Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) walks out onto the floor before a game against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 2, 2025.

The Indiana Fever were eliminated from the 2025 WNBA playoffs by the Las Vegas Aces in a winner-take-all Game 5 on Tuesday, marking the end to Fever guard Caitlin Clark's second year in the league.

Clark opened her sophomore campaign with an impressive 20-point, 10-assist and 10-rebound triple-double against the Chicago Sky in the season opener back in May, showcasing the promise of Clark and the Fever as legitimate championship contenders. But Clark's season was derailed by a series of injuries that sidelined her for 31 games this season, marking the longest stretch of missed games in her budding career.

"I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling," Clark said after the Fever shut down her season earlier this month due to a right groin injury that sidelined her since July 15.

The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year was limited to 13 games, averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds.

The gritty Fever showed resilience despite five season-ending injuries, not only winning the 2025 Commissioner's Cup, but getting to the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Although the Fever were ultimately ousted in the semifinals, many fans are already looking ahead to next season and what's next for Clark.

Caitlin Clark contract: What's her base salary?

Clark is set to enter the third year of her rookie scale contract next season, which she signed after being drafted first overall by the Fever in April 2024. Clark is projected to make $85,873 during the 2026 WNBA season, per the league's collective bargaining agreement, an uptick from her estimated $78,066 base salary for this season.

Will Caitlin Clark play in Unrivaled?

Fans may not have to wait for the 2026 WNBA season to see Clark return to the basketball court as the second season of the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled tips off early next year. Clark turned down an offer to join Unrivaled's inaugural season following a grueling 12-months that included her final season at Iowa and her WNBA rookie year. But the winter league could provide a key opportunity for Clark to get some reps in after missing much of the 2025 WNBA season, if her health allows.

Clark hasn't been signed to Unrivaled yet, although league president Alex Bazzell told ESPN they "have a spot" for Clark. "There is always an ongoing dialogue... There is no secret who the top players in the world are, and they know we have a spot for them. But we are not knocking down doors or chasing people down. I feel good about where our rosters stand," added Bazzell, the husband of Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier.

Unrivaled team roster won't be released until November, but players announcements run through Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Caitlin Clark's signature shoe with Nike coming soon

Look out for Clark's signature collection with Nike. Clark unveiled her signature logo in late August, featuring two interlocking Cs and a smaller, hidden C, that Nike says represents her "magnetic connection with fans around the globe who are drawn to her unwavering confidence, steadfast commitment and remarkable shooting ability."

Clark's signature shoe and signature collection won't drop until next year, but fans will be able to get their hands on her logo collection on Wednesday, Oct. 1, which will feature T-shirts, hoodies, shorts and pants for all ages. A navy and yellow logo T-shirt went on sale in North America earlier this month.

Clark first signed an NIL deal with Nike in 2022 when she was competing at Iowa. She signed an eight-year, $28M extension with Nike in April 2024, according to the Associated Press, after being drafted by the Fever.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's next for Caitlin Clark after Indiana Fever eliminated from WNBA playoffs

Reporting by Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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