With the WNBA season tipping off, fans of the Indiana Fever are counting down to Saturday’s high-stakes opener against their budding rival, the Chicago Sky.
It marks the first official game for the Fever in 234 days, a long-awaited moment fueled by new talent, offseason additions, and a fierce storyline: the continuation of the Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese rivalry.
Sophie Cunningham’s injury could leave Fever exposed
But despite the hype, the Fever may not be at full strength.
Guard Sophie Cunningham, who made a strong preseason impact, remains questionable following an ankle injury in the team’s final tune-up game.
That leaves Clark, still easing into action after a minor injury of her own, without one of her toughest and most experienced backcourt allies.
Head coach Stephanie White has made it clear she’s taking a cautious approach, choosing long-term health over short-term gain.
“It’s going to be a day-to-day thing just to see how she recovers,”White said of Cunningham.
“It’ll all depend on the training to tell me what she’s capable of doing every day.”
Cunningham was spotted in a walking boot post-injury, and reports from practice suggest she has yet to return to full-speed drills.
Her absence could create a significant gap in Indiana’s rotation.
Averaging nearly 11 points per game during the preseason, Cunningham provides veteran leadership, floor spacing, and a defensive edge the Fever will sorely miss against the Sky’s aggressive frontcourt duo of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
While Clark appears ready to go, there’s an understanding that her usage might be more carefully managed this season.
With DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard now in the fold, offensive responsibilities will be more evenly distributed.
Still, as Coach White noted, the team is locked in: “We’ve got edgy players, we’ve got competitive players… They want to win.”
Indiana went 3-1 against the Sky last season, and expectations are even higher this year after a strong offseason.
Yet the opening game may be more about navigating uncertainty than dominating headlines.
Whether Cunningham suits up or not, all eyes will be on Caitlin Clark, ready or not, to set the tone for what Fever fans hope is a breakthrough season.
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