After the Indiana Fever’s unthinkable run to the WNBA semifinals without superstar Caitlin Clark, basketball teams around the world are lining up to offer contracts to the players involved.
A franchise record 18 different players started at least one game for the injury-ridden Fever in 2025. With six players out injured during the postseason, All-Stars Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston led Indiana to its deepest playoff run in a decade. After a 24-20 regular season, the No. 6 seed pushed the eventual WNBA Finals champion Las Vegas Aces to overtime in a winner-take-all Game 5 of the semifinals, losing 107-98.
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Injured Indiana Fever forward Chloe Bibby (left), Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (middle), and Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (right) watch from the bench during the WNBA playoffs.Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
One player whose stock rose in the postseason was Fever forward Brianna Turner. The WNBA veteran only played 8.6 minutes per game in the regular season, but her averages jumped to 17.5 minutes, 2.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in the playoffs. The defensive stopper also recorded at least one block or assist in all eight games in the series against the Aces and the Atlanta Dream.
On Tuesday, the Perth Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball League in Australia announced that they signed Turner to a short-term contract for the start of the 2025-2026 season beginning this weekend.
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Turner is also committed to playing stateside in the Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball league, which begins Feb. 4, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. Her unexpected move to the Australian league — where she previously played three seasons with the Adelaide Lightning — comes as a replacement player for Perth’s 6-foot-11 phenomenon Han Xu, who has commitments to the Chinese national team.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Perth Lynx and competing in the WNBL once again,” Turner said. “It’s a great opportunity to contribute to a strong team and experience basketball in a new environment. I’m ready to get to work and help the team start the season strong.”
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Neither of Turner’s offseason obligations will interfere with the 2026 WNBA season. Fever head coach Stephanie White has stated her desire to “get a lot of the players back” next season, but there is no guarantee Turner will return as she is one of several unrestricted free agents on the roster.
Related: Caitlin Clark’s Next Move Announced Amid WNBA Offseason
Related: Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull Lands Job Outside WNBA
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
