Following a leaked graphic from inside the organization that appears to reveal the team’s opening night starting lineup, social media erupted—and not just because of the talent stacked on that roster. Caitlin Clark. Kelsey Mitchell. DeWanna Bonner. Natasha Howard. Aaliyah Boston.

That’s two Rookie of the Year winners, three players on max contracts, and enough firepower to rival Team USA. It’s a superteam in the making.

But buried in the glitz of that five-player headline is one name conspicuously missing: Sophie Cunningham.

For the first time since her arrival in Indiana, the hard-nosed forward who built her brand on grit, versatility, and leadership, is not expected to start. The announcement blindsided many. But what followed stunned even more: Sophie Cunningham broke her silence—and embraced the bench role with a response that may have cemented her as the team’s most valuable X-factor.

“I didn’t come here for the spotlight. I came here to win,” Cunningham told reporters. “This team is built to do something great, and I’m all in—wherever they need me.”

Let’s take a closer look at the projected starting five:

Caitlin Clark, the transcendent rookie who shattered records in college and now brings her jaw-dropping range and vision to the pros.

Kelsey Mitchell, one of the most explosive scoring guards in the league, known for her speed and shot creation.

DeWanna Bonner, a six-foot-four matchup nightmare with playoff pedigree and elite two-way skills.

Natasha Howard, a defensive powerhouse who thrives in transition and disrupts everything on the floor.

Aaliyah Boston, 2023’s Rookie of the Year and a dominant force in the paint.

This unit combines youth and experience, finesse and firepower. It’s a balanced attack capable of running opponents off the court—and Cunningham isn’t just okay with watching it unfold from the bench. She’s fired up about it.

“I think we’re going to be a phenomenal group,” Cunningham said. “And when my number is called, I’ll be ready to bring whatever this team needs.”

Here’s what makes this story so explosive: Cunningham could be starting on nearly any other WNBA roster. She’s a proven playoff contributor. She can guard multiple positions. She’s a knockdown shooter. But in Indiana, she’s embracing the sixth woman role—and that mindset might be the secret ingredient that elevates this team from dangerous to dominant.

“She can shift momentum,” one Fever assistant coach noted. “She plays with an edge. She’s a connector. And she’s not here to pad stats—she’s here to win.”

She’s not alone either. Alongside her on the bench is Lexie Hull, who quietly led the entire WNBA in three-point shooting last season, and Brianna Turner, the unheralded screen-setter and rim protector who brings muscle and hustle to the second unit.

There’s also Sydney Colson, the veteran point guard who might be the league’s best locker room presence and a defensive pest with championship experience. Together, these bench players don’t just hold leads—they extend them.

While Cunningham adjusts to a new role, the league should be paying attention to a growing storm on the court: the chemistry between Caitlin Clark and Aaliyah Boston.

In just a few months of training camp, insiders say the duo already displays elite-level timing, with Clark’s laser-sharp passing syncing perfectly with Boston’s footwork and finishing. The pick-and-rolls are crisp. The two-woman game is nearly unguardable. And with Clark in constant off-ball motion—à la Steph Curry—defenses are being ripped apart before they even have time to react.

“They’re building a legacy that could be all-time great,” said head coach Stephanie White. “When you think about the point guard-post duos that define eras, we believe we have one in the making.”

Sophie Cunningham’s move to the bench isn’t a demotion. It’s a strategic upgrade to one of the most versatile, energy-filled, defensive-minded reserve roles in the league.

“She can guard threes and fours, stretch the floor, crash the boards, and bring toughness that you can’t teach,” said one Fever analyst. “You put her in the game, and the tone shifts.”

More importantly, she’s not sulking. She’s leading—quietly, professionally, and with a team-first mentality that’s becoming contagious throughout the locker room.

“I went from playing next to Diana [Taurasi] to now joining Caitlin [Clark], and that transition isn’t about stepping back. It’s about elevating others,” she explained. “I’m here to fight, to lead, and to win.”

Most WNBA teams are lucky to have one or two reliable players off the bench. Indiana? They have a second unit that could start and win games against several other teams. The Fever can go big. They can go small. They can speed up or slow down. Their adaptability is unmatched.

“This team doesn’t sub to survive,” said one rival coach anonymously. “They sub to kill you in waves.”

Caitlin Clark will play the lion’s share of minutes, but lineups featuring Colson at the one and Clark playing off-ball are already being tested. Hull brings perimeter defense. Turner adds interior grit. Cunningham offers lineup versatility. The rotations don’t drop intensity. They mirror the starters’ energy—and sometimes exceed it.

One wrinkle that raised eyebrows: the absence of Temi Fagbenle from the protected roster for the upcoming WNBA expansion draft. Despite starting in the Fever’s playoff push last season and appearing in early team workouts, she was left unprotected in favor of DeWanna Dantas.

The move puzzled many, but insiders believe it’s part of a longer-term strategic pivot—one focused on lineup flexibility and unlocking new combinations as the season progresses. Don’t be surprised if the Fever front office has another move in the works.

The Indiana Fever were one of the worst teams in the league just two seasons ago. Today, they’re a deep, dangerous, championship-caliber threat. And Sophie Cunningham’s team-first reaction to a reduced role may be one of the biggest reasons why.

This isn’t just a rebuild. It’s a rebirth.

And when the confetti falls in September, don’t be surprised if Cunningham is right there in the middle of it—hands dirty, knees bruised, smiling wide—not because she started the game, but because she helped finish it.