The Indiana Fever entered the 2025 season with high expectations after making key offseason moves, including the addition of versatile wing Sophie Cunningham. After a rocky middle stretch to their season, they’ve started to find some rhythm and currently sit at 18-15. But with star Caitlin Clark sidelined with an injury as of late, head coach Stephanie White has faced a challenge: who runs the offense when your best playmaker can’t play?
How Did Stephanie White Solve the Indiana Fever’s Point Guard Problem?
Before the Fever’s August 9 matchup against the Chicago Sky, White made a bold call by slotting Cunningham, who is normally a wing, into the starting point guard role. With no true point guards available on the roster, the move was born out of necessity.
It paid off immediately. Cunningham thrived in the unfamiliar role, putting up 16 points, three rebounds, and two assists while helping the Fever cruise to a commanding 92-70 victory.
Sophie Cunningham highlights vs Chicago Sky pic.twitter.com/sIfMZspHqf
— Sophie Cunningham Central (FAN) (@sophiecham_fan) August 10, 2025
While Cunningham’s performance stood out, another player shined even brighter; Kelsey Mitchell delivered 26 points and a season-high eight assists, proving she could handle primary playmaking duties. White took note.
Ahead of the August 12 clash with the Dallas Wings, Indy Star’s Chloe Peterson reported that Mitchell would get the start at point guard. Once again, she delivered with 24 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Unfortunately for Indiana, her heroics weren’t enough to avoid a narrow 81-80 defeat.
Why Is Kelsey Mitchell the Key to the Fever’s Future?
Now, as the Fever prepare for their August 15 showdown with the Washington Mystics, Peterson has confirmed that White will stick with the same starting lineup used against the Wings.
“Stephanie White says she will start the same lineup as Saturday’s game, with Kelsey Mitchell starting at the 1,” wrote Peterson on X.
Mitchell isn’t usually the Fever’s first-choice option at the No. 1 spot, as her natural game leans toward scoring rather than orchestrating the offense. This shift marked the true major change White was willing to make.
Additionally, Peterson revealed that Odyssey Sims will be available to provide depth.
“Odyssey Sims, who joined the team on Sunday and is the Fever’s only healthy natural point guard, will come off the bench to ‘give us a lift,'” added Peterson.
Stephanie White says she will start the same lineup as Saturday’s game, with Kelsey Mitchell starting at the 1.
Odyssey Sims, who joined the team on Sunday and is the Fever’s only healthy natural point guard, will come off the bench to “give us a lift.”
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) August 12, 2025
The decision comes as Clark’s absence stretches on. Tuesday marked her 11th-straight missed game due to an ongoing groin injury. Even more concerning, White told reporters on Monday that Clark still hasn’t returned to practice.
“She’s been able to get a little bit more in her full-court running, with all her body weight. It’s really building up from doing minimal to then building some endurance to do longer periods of time. She’s been able to do a little bit more on the court in terms of how she moves, but not into practice yet,” said White during an interview after practice.
There’s a sense of urgency to get Clark back given the team’s recent performances. In the August 12 game against the Wings, the Fever struggled early, trailing by eight points after the first quarter. A strong second-quarter surge tied the score at 42-42 by halftime.
The second half followed a familiar pattern. The Fever struggled in the third quarter but found renewed energy in the fourth, pouring in 25 points in the final frame. However, the rally fell short, resulting in yet another tight loss.
Now all eyes turn to Friday night, when the Fever host the Mystics at 7:30 p.m. ET. With the playoff race heating up, every win matters, and the pressure is on White’s reworked lineup to deliver when it counts most.
