Indiana Fever at Crossroads as National Analyst Doubles Down on Caitlin Clark’s Backup Plan

The WNBA preseason is off and running, and the Indiana Fever are already making noise. Two games in, including Caitlin Clark’s much-anticipated return to Iowa, and they’ve come out unbeaten. Fans are hyped. Analysts are impressed. It’s the kind of start that builds confidence. But there’s another side to this success–the tough decisions on who makes the starting 5 and what the rotation will look like. It’s the kind of problem coaches love. But let’s be honest, if things don’t go to plan, it can get messy real fast.

The Fever’s preseason matchup against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse gave fans an early taste of what’s to come this WNBA season. Caitlin Clark was out with a minor leg issue, but the intensity on the court was sky-high. The Fever pulled off a comeback win against the Mystics in their preseason opener at home, and it turned out to be a debut to remember for “Spicy Sophie.”

It was Sydney Colson who started alongside Kelsey Mitchell in the backcourt when Clark was out injured. But Rachel DeMita noticed something that could tell a different story about who will be the point guard going forward in the rotation.

“Sophie Cunningham actually acted as the backup point guard, even when Sydney Colson was on the floor. So, when Sydney Colson was on the floor with the starting unit, she was playing point guard, but anytime Sophie Cunningham came in, she immediately became the backup point guard,” the podcaster starts.

Apr 30, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham poses for a photo Wednesday, April 30, 2025, during the Indiana Fever media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Acquired in a four-team trade back in February, Sophie Cunningham wasted no time making her mark. Coming off the bench, she brought the fire, energized the crowd, and logged a team-high 35 minutes in Indiana’s 79-74 overtime victory—one that had seemed to slip out of their hands. Cunningham dropped a game-high 21 points, grabbed eight boards, dished out two assists, and finished with a +16 on the floor. Will her impressive performances mean that she will continue being the first name to come from the bench? That’s the question DeMita is asking.

“So, I do wonder how the rotation is going to be when Caitlin Clark is there. It seems like Sophie is the first player to come in off the bench, and she normally checks in for DeWanna Bonner. But we’ll just have to see if that’s how the rotation stays for the rest of the season,” DeMita adds.

It will be interesting to see how Coach White plans her rotation now that Clark is fully fit. Kelsey Mitchell and the 2024 ROTY will definitely continue starting after their impressive year together. But what happens to the new guard acquisitions? Only time will tell. However, it will certainly be a good problem to have for Stephanie, who knows they’ll need all the help they can get if they are to challenge for the championship this season.

Stephanie White has a clear plan for Caitlin Clark and co

The Indiana Fever are heating up, with several sportsbooks giving them the second-best odds to clinch the WNBA championship at +350, just behind the defending champions–the New York Liberty. There’s a genuine belief that this team, stacked with talent, has what it takes to go all the way. Coach White definitely thinks so.

“Everybody who’s been a part of a team, everybody who’s won championships, everybody who’s been a part of growing something special, knows that a lot of things have to fall in line for you to win a championship. They do,” said Stephanie White. “That’s why it’s so incredibly difficult. But we’re not shying away from the fact that we want to win a championship, that we want to position ourselves every single day to win a championship.”

With the additions of Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, and the duo of Colson and Cunningham, alongside the returning core of Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever have quickly become one of the title favorites this season. But there are still big questions. Can they handle the added physicality from opposing teams? Will the coach be able to sort out their rotation? Only time will tell.

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