The Indiana Fever came into the 2025 season with high expectations and a retooled roster ready to compete. With the signing of veteran wing Sophie Cunningham and the growing leadership of second-year center Aliyah Boston, the team looked poised for a breakout campaign.
But a lingering injury to superstar Caitlin Clark has forced head coach Stephanie White to make drastic adjustments, especially at the most crucial position: point guard.
Clark has now missed 11 straight games with a groin injury suffered in mid-July, following an earlier quadriceps strain. Despite modest progress in her rehab, she has yet to return to practice.
“She’s doing more running and movement drills,” White told reporters recently, “but she’s not yet ready to rejoin team drills or game activity.” With no clear return date in sight, the Fever have had to adapt on the fly.
Cunningham steps in, Mitchell steps up
With both Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald sidelined for the season due to injury, White turned to Sophie Cunningham to fill the starting point guard role on August 9 against the Chicago Sky. Though more comfortable on the wing, Cunningham embraced the challenge, posting 16 points and helping guide Indiana to a dominant 92-70 win.
Yet the night’s biggest revelation came from Kelsey Mitchell, who exploded for 26 points and a season-high eight assists. She not only shouldered the scoring load but also looked increasingly comfortable running the offense.
This inspired White to start Mitchell at the point in the following game against the Dallas Wings, where she once again delivered – 24 points, six rebounds, and two assists in a narrow 81-80 defeat.
Mitchell’s growing confidence in this hybrid role has proven invaluable. While not a natural point guard, her ability to read defenses and create plays has provided the Fever with much-needed stability in Clark’s absence.
To support Mitchell, the team signed veteran Odyssey Sims, the only natural point guard currently available. White confirmed Sims will come off the bench, offering experienced minutes behind the new starting unit.
Now sitting at 18-15, the Fever are firmly in the playoff hunt. Their recent defensive leap, from 11th in the league last season to 8th this year, has been a quiet but significant contributor to their success.
As Indiana prepares to face the Washington Mystics on August 15, the pressure is on. With Clark still sidelined, Mitchell and Cunningham will continue to carry the load. But if their recent performances are any indication, this restructured lineup may just be built for the long haul.
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