Caitlin Clark and Fever face ‘a level of jealousy’ from WNBA opponents: Lexie Hull

Lexie Hull is aware of the spotlight on the Fever — and the envy from outsiders that can follow.

Speaking to Glamour as part of her Women of the Year cover story, the 26-year-old guard recognized the heightened media attention her team has received as the WNBA’s fan growth has exploded, particularly with the arrival of Caitlin Clark in 2024.

“I think there is a level of jealousy when it comes to the Fever, just because of the media attention and the fans that have shown up for us ever since Caitlin got here,” Hull said of Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. “We’ve heard people and players and teams talking in their locker room about, ‘We can’t let the Fever win.’”

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Clark’s popularity entering the league subsequent speculation regarding competitors being envious.

Hull, Indiana’s sixth overall pick out of Stanford in 2022, is encouraging opponents to use those feelings as “extra motivation” when they meet the Fever on the court.

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“If you have extra motivation to beat us because of something out of our control, that’s fine, if that’s what it takes for you guys to come and try extra hard,” she said. “I think a little bit of that is needed across the league. … Everyone should feel like they’re getting everyone else’s best, and I do feel like we get everyone else’s best.”

The Fever finished Clark’s first season at 20-20 and reached the playoffs, losing to the Connecticut Sun in the opening round.

Injuries marred the Fever’s 2025 campaign, with Clark — the 2024 Rookie of the Year — grappling with quadriceps and groin injuries, as well as a bone bruise to her ankle. She last played on July 15.

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Teammate Sophie Cunningham sustained a season-ending knee injury in August, while the Fever also lost Sydney Colson to a torn left ACL and Aari McDonald to a broken bone in her right foot.

The Fever finished this regular season at 24-20 and lost in the semifinals of the playoffs to the eventual WNBA champion Aces.