Did Indiana Fever Just Give First Glimpse Of A Likely Starting Five?

The 2026 season could be a historic one for many reasons, with the new CBA, teams, and exciting players increasing the entertainment and competitiveness in the league. The ‘performance bonuses’ in the CBA will also encourage players and teams to do better on the floor. For the Indiana Fever, though, it’s altogether different motivation entering the 2026 season, following the semifinal exit last season.

The team was one of the favorites in the 2025 season with a massive offseason addition boosting their chances to win the title. At the end, they came up short with multiple injuries keeping their star players out for a significant amount of time.

The franchise doesn’t want a similar outcome in the 2026 season as it assembles another massive team with its predicted lineup ranking among the top five starting lineups in the 2026 season. But after the final preseason game, the side might just have its actual starting five for the season.

Stephanie White Gave A Glimpse Of Indiana Fever’s Starting Five

The 2012 champions did extremely well last season, playing against the adverse conditions and yet delivering at the highest level to reach the semifinal. But failing to win the title or even reach the finals with high expectations at the start of the season. Coach White is already taking cautious steps to utilize Aliyah Boston and other key players in the preseason game.

But in the final preseason game, the coach involved the former South Carolina superstar. And with that, she nearly revealed her starting five for the season, fielding Caitlin Clark, Kesley Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Aliyah Boston, and Monique Billings against the Nigerian team.

AB joins the starting five ❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/4QFlpQGLpZ

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 2, 2026

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Anchored by the elite playmaking of Clark and the veteran scoring prowess of Kelsey Mitchell in the backcourt, the Fever side boasts one of the league’s most explosive and balanced lineups. Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham would rotate between the starting roles as number three, having developed into premier 3-and-D wings, providing steady perimeter defense and efficient outside shooting.

The free agency addition, Monique Billings, already impressed Caitlin Clark in training camp and steps into the starting power forward role, offering crucial versatility, rebounding, and interior toughness. Versatile and pillar of the Fever roster, Aliyah Boston will operate in the post, completing this starting five as an elite center, bringing size, high-efficiency finishing, and reliable rebounding.

While the team starters look solid and balanced on paper, the side will look for depth and perfect back-ups at every position to keep the team in a championship hunt.

Indiana Fever With Potent Depth In the 2026 Season

As for the 2025 Indiana Fever team, the backup players and mid-season acquisition played a crucial role in the absence of the regulars. The side reached the semifinals with key contributions from those players, and the front office once again built a strong backup for the team.

The 2026 bench provides a versatile mix of battle-tested veterans and high-upside youth. Sophie Cunningham headlines the second unit as a knockdown shooter and gritty defender, often serving as the primary sixth woman who can slide into small-ball frontcourt sets. Myisha Hines-Allen adds physical post-depth and rebounding, ensuring the second unit maintains its intensity. Defensively, the backcourt is bolstered by the 2026 first-round draft pick Raven Johnson, a defensive stopper from South Carolina expected to play significant minutes in situational lockdown roles.

Raven so comfortable out there pic.twitter.com/UwmSrbZayu

— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) May 2, 2026

Further depth comes from experienced guards Tyasha Harris and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who provide reliable ball-handling and veteran composure during critical game stretches. In the frontcourt, Damiris Dantas offers a floor-spacing presence at the center position, while second-year forward Makayla Timpson brings developing interior energy.

While the team is yet to confirm its final roster with developmental players, the team would add promising 2026 draftees like Justine Pissott and Jessica Timmons to its developmental roster, who offer additional perimeter shooting. When healthy, the side looks like a top contender for the championship, but still lacks the size that the Aces and Liberty teams filled in their roster.