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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is fresh off a season in which she set WNBA records, contended for the league's Most Valuable Player Award, and led her team to a playoff berth.
Despite Clark's impressive season, the Fever fell in the first round of the playoffs to the 2025 champion Las Vegas Aces, who were subsequently eliminated by the Golden State Valkyries in the semifinals. In just their second season, the Valkyries went on to win the 2026 WNBA championship, defeating Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream in the first-ever seven-game WNBA Finals.
During an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" to promote her new children's book, Clark shared her reaction to seeing Golden State win a championship so quickly in the team's WNBA history.
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"Like you said, the Golden State Valkyries, I want to give them credit and a shout-out, because what they were able to do this year was absolutely incredible," she told GMA's Robin Roberts.
She called Valkyries' head coach Natalie Nakase and the organization "very first class," adding it was "fun to watch their journey" and "pretty incredible" to see them win the championship in their second year.
More news: Angel Reese Announces Surprising Offseason Plans After WNBA Finals Loss
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Clark also appeared on Kylie Kelce's new "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, which was recorded as the WNBA Finals were happening, but a champion had yet to be decided. She praised Golden State during her remarks there as well, although she joked about not being part of their roster.
"What Golden State's been able to do in such a short period of time like two years and to be playing in the Finals, that's a win in and of itself," Clark said.
"I remember their owner [Joe Lacob] ... he literally said on stage, 'We're going to win a championship in 5 years or less.' And I was like, 'I love that.' And here we are, two years later, I'm like, 'Well, do I love that?' Because I'm not playing, but they are, but that's still awesome. Good for them," she told Kelce.
While Clark seemed to be joking about being part of Golden State's situation, her comments also highlighted her own desire to reach the WNBA Finals and win a championship. Just three seasons into her career, though, she seems on a path towards that occurring if the organization makes the right moves.
Clark just watched as Reese, a player frequently linked to her dating back to their college basketball careers, helped lead the Atlanta Dream to within one win of the championship. Golden State's title in just its second season demonstrates how quickly a franchise could build a contender if the organization makes the right decisions.
The Fever have already undergone significant organizational changes this offseason, including the firing of general manager Amber Cox after two seasons and team president of basketball and business operations Kelly Krauskopf stepping down from her position.
More news: Fever Star Caitlin Clark Draws Strong Criticism Over Unique Nike Shoe Release
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