Over the final 12 days of 2018, each day we will look back at the year that was for a WNBA team, reminiscing over some of the best moments from the past year and looking ahead to the upcoming year as well. Up next is the Indiana Fever, who will look to bounce back from a tough 2018 in the new year.

Season Recap

Record: 6-28, franchise-low for wins in a season
Finish: 6^th in Eastern Conference, 12^th overall
Postseason: Missed playoffs for second straight year
Awards: Kelsey Mitchell, All-Rookie Team
Leaders: Points (Candice Dupree, 14.2); Rebounds (Natalie Achonwa, 6.9); Assists (Erica Wheeler, 4.1); Steals (Tiffany Mitchell, 0.9); Blocks (Achonwa, 0.7); 3-Pointers (Kelsey Mitchell, 2.1)

Key Offseason Questions

Who to take with the No. 3 pick in the draft?

The Fever entered the WNBA Draft Lottery with the best odds (44.2%) of landing the top pick in the draft, due to having the worst combined record of the previous two seasons (15-53). However, the ping pong balls did not bounce their way as the Fever fell to the third overall selection in the upcoming draft.

While they may not have the first overall pick, there are plenty of talented prospects set to enter the draft, which means Indiana will be able to add another player to their young core. The Fever had two of the top eight picks a year ago and used them to add a pair of guards in Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivians. The Fever could target a post player in this year’s draft to add as another foundational piece for the future and allow them to learn under veteran forward Candice Dupree.

Who is ready for a breakout season?

Outside of the veteran duo of Dupree and Cappie Pondexter (who joined the Fever in the middle of last season), the Fever roster is young, with seven players with fewer than four years of experience. While there is a natural growth and progression for young players as they develop their game and gain valuable experience, is there a young player that will be able to accelerate that growth curve?

Natalie Achonwa made significant strides last season as she became a full-time starter, posting career highs in points (10.3), rebounds (team-best 6.9) and minutes (26.0).  The Fever have a number of recent first round picks that are candidates to break out, such as guard Tiffany Mitchell, who is entering her third season; or the rookie duo from a year ago in Kelsey Mitchell and Vivians, both of whom started for at least half the season and showed flashes of their potential during their first pro seasons.

Best On-Court Moment

Candice Dupree Joins 6,000-Point Club

In her 13^th season in the WNBA and second with the Fever, Candice Dupree proved that she is a force to be reckoned with. She led the team in scoring (14.2 PPG) and was second in rebounds (6.4 RPG) and steals (0.9 SPG). And during Indiana’s game against Washington on Aug. 15, she became only the ninth player in WNBA history to eclipse 6,000 career points.

One game later, she dropped a season-best 30 points against Chicago (her first WNBA team) to pass Lauren Jackson for eighth place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list. She finished the season with 6,057 career points, giving the Fever two of the top eight scorers in WNBA history as Pondexter ranks fourth with 6,811 points.

Rookie Duo Sets 3-Point Mark

During Indiana’s game with Phoenix on Aug. 10, Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivians set a new WNBA record for 3-pointers made by a rookie duo, breaking a 19-year old mark held by Minnesota’s Katie Smith and Tonya Edwards, who combined for 118 triples back in 1999.

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Over the final four games of the regular season, the Fever rookies upped their total to 135 3-pointers made, establishing the new mark for young shooters to aim for moving forward. Mitchell (70) and Vivians (65) led all rookies in 3-pointers made, with no other first-year player knocking down more than 45 triples. They finished fifth and eighth, respectively, among all WNBA players, with Mitchell invited to participate in the Three-Point Contest during the WNBA All-Star Game.

Best Off-Court Moment

Pacers Name Kelly Krauskopf Assistant General Manager

After 19 seasons as the Indiana Fever’s top executive, Kelly Krauskopf was hired as the new Assistant General Manager of the Indiana Pacers. While her departure leaves huge shoes to fill for the Fever, the significance of the achievement must be celebrated. Krauskopf will relinquish her duties to the Fever, and the Pacers NBA2k league team, when she begins in her new position at the start of the new year.

Dupree Honored For Charitable Efforts

Dupree received the August WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm for her efforts in giving back to military service members and expecting mothers in need.

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Both causes have a personal connection with Dupree. Her mother served in the Air Force for more than 20 years and Dupree understands the sacrifices that military families make in fulfilling their service. And as a new mother to one-year old twins, Dupree is passionate about helping expecting mothers in need.

GIF of the Year

When it comes to GIFs, the young Fever squad offered plenty to choose from. There was Vivians breaking out the Milly Rock on draft night and an impromptu Star Wars light saber battle on the bench, but it was Erica Wheeler and her collection of celebrations and reactions that stood out most.

Photos of the Year

Check out some of the top images from the Fever during the 2018 season.

New Year’s Resolution

After making the playoffs for a WNBA record 12 straight seasons (2005-2016), the Fever have missed the postseason in back-to-back years as they have combined for just 15 win over the past two seasons. While the goal is to get back into the playoff picture and begin posting 20-win seasons again (they had eight during that 12-year playoff run), the first step is to get back to double-digit wins and being competitive on a nightly basis.

After going just 2-21 (.087) over the first two months of the season, the Fever closed out the 2018 season by going 4-7 (.364) over the last month. Can they continue that improvement heading into the 2019 season?