Stephanie White’s Sophie Cunningham decision turns heads

Sophie Cunningham struggled early in the season. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White started her in the first three games, but she did not exactly stuff the stat sheet.

The 6-foot-1 guard registered averages of 7.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. While Cunningham made 50.0% of her shots, she only attempted 2.7 per game, including just two in the season opener against the Dallas Wings. Fans expected her to be a key contributor entering the season after she fully recovered from the knee injury she sustained last year.

Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell have been doing the heavy lifting for Indiana, but they need help. The good news for the team is Monique Billings and Lexie Hull are doing their best to support the backcourt duo.

Indiana Fever: Stephanie White moves Sophie Cunningham to the bench

White switched things up on Sunday. With the Fever at 1-2, she made changes to the starting lineup, inserting Lexie Hull and Myisha Hines-Allen. The veteran guard took Cunningham’s place, while Hines-Allen started for the injured Aliyah Boston.

Indiana posted its starting unit on Instagram ahead of tipoff.

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Fans had mixed reactions to White’s decision on Cunningham.

“Not starting Sophie should be criminal…” a fan wrote.

“Yeah Lexie!!!👏🔥🔥,” a reaction read.

“This lineup is not where it’s at,” one user said.

“No Sophie? 😔 Boston is obviously out but their starting 5 were killing it. I love Lexie but I like Sophie’s offense getting them started…..but I’ll be cheering them on regardless,” posted another.

“Yesss yall starting big lex I use to pray for times like this fr,” another fan wrote.

“Fire this coach,” a comment read.

Cunningham delivered her best game of the season. She scored 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting, along with three rebounds. The 29-year-old aggressively attacked her defenders, which resulted in six free-throw attempts that she converted. Hull, on the other hand, played decently, posting nine points, four rebounds and two assists.

White also gave Cunningham 25 minutes of playing time compared to Hull’s 19. It remains to be seen if the head coach will keep the same starting five on Wednesday versus the Portland Fire, as it worked wonders and led to the team’s second win.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/indiana-fever-stephanie-white-sophie-cunningham-decision/