With Caitlin Clark Injured, Start Sophie Cunningham at the Point Guard Position
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With Caitlin Clark Injured, Indiana Fever Should Start Sophie Cunningham at Point Guard
The Indiana Fever have been the talk of the WNBA this season, largely thanks to the electrifying play of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. But as the team and its fans face the sobering news of Clark’s quad injury—expected to sideline her for at least two weeks—the question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next for the Fever? Who steps up, and how does this team adapt in the absence of its generational star?
On the latest episode of the Adrienne Ross Show, the host tackled these very questions, offering both heartfelt perspective on Memorial Day and a passionate, strategic take on how the Fever should navigate this critical stretch. The answer, she argues, is clear: start Sophie Cunningham at point guard.
A Sudden Setback: Caitlin Clark’s Injury and Its Impact
The news broke with a statement from the Fever: “Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has suffered a left quadriceps strain and will be out a minimum of two weeks. Further updates will be provided as available following re-evaluation.”
For a franchise that has built so much excitement and momentum around Clark, her absence is a major blow. Clark’s court vision, passing, and ability to create offense for herself and her teammates have already made her one of the most impactful point guards in the league. Losing her, even for a short span, fundamentally changes the Fever’s identity and offensive flow.
But as Adrienne Ross reminded her audience, basketball is a team sport. “A team is made up of more than one person,” she said. “This is when, as a coach, you’ve got to say to your team: you have to step up. This is why you brought in pieces during free agency. This is why you have veterans.”
Opportunity in Adversity: Rallying the Team
Ross emphasized that adversity can bring out the best in a team. “A lot of times, a team will rally when a key piece is not able to perform. It’s like they go into another gear,” she said. “It can go the opposite way as well, but sometimes, someone finds that extra spark in a place you didn’t expect.”
This is not the first time the Fever have had to dig deep. The team has already faced challenges this season, from finding chemistry with new additions to dealing with inconsistent officiating. Now, with Clark out, the rest of the roster must find a way to fill the void—both in terms of production and leadership.
Who Should Step Up? Not Kelsey Mitchell at the Point
The immediate question is who takes over the point guard duties. Many would assume Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever’s dynamic scoring guard, would slide over to the one spot. But Ross is adamant: “I’m not starting Kelsey Mitchell at the point guard position. I don’t like seeing Kelsey at that position.”
Mitchell, she argues, is a natural two-guard—a scorer with a “one-gear, full-steam-ahead” style that doesn’t translate well to the responsibilities of a floor general. “She’s not the best player for that spot,” Ross said. “Kelsey needs to be in that two position. Let her do what she does best.”
The challenge with Mitchell at point, Ross explained, is that she tends to play at one speed and doesn’t have the court vision or decision-making that Clark brings. “Whenever she’s had the opportunity to run that point position, it’s like one speed, heads down, fast. She just knows one speed. She’s not the best player for that spot.”
The Case for Sophie Cunningham at Point Guard
So, who should run the show? Ross’s answer: Sophie Cunningham.
“I would have Sophie play the one position,” she said. “I’ve seen Sophie run that point position and I’m fine with that in this situation. Sophie at the one, Kelsey at the two, Lexie Hull at the three, NaLyssa Smith at the four, and Aliyah Boston at the five. That’s what I would do.”
Why Cunningham? Ross points to her energy, versatility, and ability to handle the ball under pressure. “She brings such an energy. She can handle the ball. They’re likely not going to be pressuring her 94 feet unless they want to test her, but I doubt it. I think she can handle that.”
Cunningham also brings scoring punch and defensive grit—qualities the Fever will desperately need with Clark sidelined. “She brings energy on both sides of the floor and she can score. Cydney Colson can come in and get you the defense that you want, but she’s not going to put up points. And they’re going to have to find points.”
Cydney Colson: The Backup Plan
Ross acknowledged that some fans might prefer Cydney Colson, the veteran backup brought in partly at Clark’s request. While she wouldn’t be upset to see Colson start, she believes Cunningham is the better choice, especially against a physical Washington Mystics team.
“If they decide to have Cydney Colson start at the one, like I said, I’m not going to be upset about it. I just think Sophie Cunningham brings such an energy. I would rather have you start with Sophie’s energy, her ability to score, and her ability to play defense right from the start so that you don’t dig yourself in a hole and now you’re playing catch-up.”
The reasoning is clear: with Clark out, the Fever can’t afford slow starts or offensive droughts. They need a lineup that can generate points and set the tone from the opening tip.
A Test of Depth and Chemistry
This stretch without Clark will be a critical test of the Fever’s depth and chemistry. Ross believes that the team’s off-season moves—adding veterans like Cunningham and Colson—were made for moments like this. “Veterans have dealt with a whole lot of stuff. Veterans understand what you have to do in moments like this.”
The Fever will also need young players like Lexie Hull and NaLyssa Smith to step up. Aliyah Boston, last year’s Rookie of the Year, will likely shoulder a heavier offensive load. “It’s about jelling. It’s about coming together and hopefully they will step up in this situation,” Ross said.
Managing Expectations: “It’s Not Time to Worry Yet”
As fans process the news, Ross offered a dose of perspective, quoting the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird: “It’s not time to worry yet.”
“Two weeks will go by just like that. Preferably, Caitlin Clark will be fine and ready to come back. But it’s good that she gets the rest that she needs. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same injury from preseason and she needed to rest a little bit more. But let’s go. It’s time for other people to step up. Show us what you got, Indiana Fever. I’m here for it.”
Looking Ahead: The Next Two Weeks
The Fever’s first test without Clark comes against the Washington Mystics—a team known for its physicality and tough defense. Ross predicts that the Mystics will try to pressure the Fever’s ball handlers and test whoever starts at point guard. That’s why she believes Cunningham’s composure and experience are so valuable.
The next two weeks will be a proving ground for the Fever’s supporting cast. Can they rally, find new ways to win, and keep the team afloat until Clark returns? Or will they struggle to replace her irreplaceable impact?
A Call to Fans: Stay All In
Ross closed her show with a message to fans: “Are you in it or not? Are we all in this together or not? You rally the troops. I’m here. Let’s look forward to what’s next.”
Whether you’re a die-hard Fever supporter or a neutral fan who tunes in to watch Caitlin Clark’s magic, now is the time to support the team as a whole. The true test of a franchise isn’t how it performs at full strength, but how it responds to adversity.
Conclusion: A Moment to Step Up
Caitlin Clark’s injury is a setback, but it’s also an opportunity—for Sophie Cunningham to step up, for Kelsey Mitchell to thrive in her natural role, and for the entire Fever roster to show what they’re made of.
As Adrienne Ross put it: “This is why you have a team. This is why you brought in pieces. Now is the time for someone to find that extra gear, for a spark to come from an unexpected place. It’s not time to worry yet. Let’s see who rises to the occasion.”
For the Indiana Fever, the next two weeks will define their season—and perhaps, reveal new stars ready to shine.
