On Saturday, the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics played their first preseason matchup. Indiana won in overtime, 79-74, in front of their home crowd. Here are the key takeaways from the matchup.

Sophie Cunningham's Contributions Off the Bench 

Sophie Cunningham brought the spark in her home debut ⚡️

21 PTS | 6-11 FG | 8 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL pic.twitter.com/k5mvDKZLch

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 3, 2025

Despite Caitlin Clark's unavailability for Indiana, guard Sophie Cunningham played a key role off the bench in Indiana's comeback victory—recording a team-high 21 points and eight two assists.  She shot 54.5 percent from the field while playing 34 minutes of action. 

Cunningham comes to Indiana through a trade after spending the first six seasons of her career with the Phoenix Mercury, where she played alongside future Hall of Fame teammates Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.

"We are all competitors, and we are here to win," Cunningham told the media post-game. "It's a fresh start for a lot of people. A new era for a lot of people. They have great people that they kept from last year who are young—and then you have a lot of championship experience  brought here. Just a combination is super smart. Now you have to put it together."

Fever Head coach Stephanie White praised Cunningham for bringing in her competitive spirit and versatility in the Fever's thrilling victory in overtime.

“Sophie's a dawg,” White said. “She's a competitor. She's versatile. She allows us to do different things. She plays with such toughness. She's huge, and she's going to be for us all season long. What she brings, from an energy standpoint, she raises the level of play of everybody around her as soon as she steps foot on the floor. Hell, even on the sideline. I mean, her communication, everything, she's definitely an X-factor.” 

Guard Kelsey Mitchell believes that the combination of Cunningham and Lexie Hull will benefit the team with their energy and defensive effort throughout the regular season.

"Sophie is that wild card," Mitchell said. "Her and Lexie [Hull] together. I think their energy and I talk about effort defensively, and just figuring it out and having a willingness. They do an unbelievable job of just being present."

How Will the Final Roste Look For the Fever?

It will be interesting to observe the Indiana Fever's final roster, especially after a busy offseason dedicated to retooling the team following last season's playoff appearance. They are also among the contenders for a championship this upcoming season, having successfully navigated a tumultuous period before the arrivals of Aliyah Boston and Clark in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

One of the brightest highlights for the Fever is the contributions of forward-center Makayla Timpson, who was selected 19th overall by the team in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She played for nearly nine minutes and had four points and two rebounds while having a positive efficiency of +9 on the court.

"I just smile every time she's on the floor—and just see some of the things that she does, that you can't teach," White said of Timpson. "I thought she played with great pace. I thought she looked really good."

Cunningham and Hull have shown Fever fans they are the team's X-Factors with their energy and defense. However, for Indiana to have a chance at the title, the veteran leadership of DeWanna Bonner, Sydney Colson, and Natasha Howard will be crucial, provided they remain healthy throughout the regular season.

The Fever will continue to develop their team chemistry on both ends. Mitchell noted in the postgame that Indiana needs to enhance their defense, as their pacing and offense worked in its favor.

"I think overall offense isn't our problem," Mitchell said. "It will cultivate itself, chemistry-wise, as we get to know each other. Defensively, that's just everything. I think that for us to have that run that everybody's talking about—we got to defend."

The Indiana Fever will travel to the University of Iowa, where Clark played throughout her collegiate career. The Fever will face the Brazil Women's National Team on Sunday.

Sonia Citron's WNBA Preseason Debut

Sonia Citron today 🔥

• 15 points
• 4 rebounds
• 5/6 FG
• 22 minutes played pic.twitter.com/oVZLhkbOz1

— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 3, 2025

The Washington Mystics fought hard throughout the game, led by Brittney Sykes' leadership, experience, and her contribution with 18 points, three rebounds, and two assists.

Guard Sonia Citron made her debut in a WNBA preseason game for the Washington Mystics after being selected third overall in this year's draft out of Notre Dame. She contributed to the team with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists while shooting 83.3 percent from the field.

"Yeah, I mean, I was really excited," Citron said. "I was definitely nervous in the beginning. But, I think my coaches and my team did an amazing job of just relaxing me and telling me, you know, just play your game, be confident."

"They said if I wasn’t nervous, then they’d be worried. But yeah, it felt good. I think I still have a couple things I need to work on and get better at, obviously. But it was a smooth first game, and I’m glad to have that under my belt. Just to see how the flow of the game is and how it is to play against competition that’s not our own team. Overall, it was fun."

Former USC standout Kiki Iriafen made her WNBA debut. +7 on the floor, Iriafen added seven points, five rebounds, and one assist in 15 minutes. 

Citron is Pro Ready for the Mystics

Head coach Sydney Johnson praised Citron's confidence for the Mystics and is optimistic to see more of her growth throughout her rookie season.

"I just love it. I think we challenged our team as a whole to try to replicate the things we’re doing in our gym and bring it to whatever arena we’re playing in," Johnson said. "And I thought we saw a lot of the same Sonia that we see every day."

"I also liked that if there was a play that was off here or there, she responded really well. She got better from one moment to the next, which I think is just wonderful. To be able to do that in her first game is huge. Just really happy. And like she said, first game under her belt — let’s move on."

Johnson acknowledges that there are areas the Mystics can work on as the regular season is quickly approaching. Washington also lost guard Georgia Amoore — selected No. 6 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft out of Kentucky — for the season due to a torn ACL.

"Same thing — just knowing what they can do confidently, and also recognizing their growth areas, whether it’s help defense, being aware of the scouting report, or playing through adversity," Johnson said.

The Mystics' Turnovers Cost Them Against the Fever

"Seeing that in real time is great stuff. And to also be open and willing to hear feedback — that’s key. (Brittney Sykes, Stefanie Dolson), Emily (Engstler) — they’ll get in there. It’s really cool to see them confident in their individual skills but also very coachable and open to learning."

The Mystics committed 22 turnovers during the game, losing their lead to the Fever's determined comeback for the victory. Sykes also noted that Washington must prioritize protecting the ball better.

"We were moving the ball," Sykes said. "We were playing the style of basketball that we were introduced to when Coach Sydney (Johnson) and everybody got us in a week before training camp. What we saw today in that first quarter was a result of coming in early and just being able to jell and just work together and just literally share the ball."

"Anybody could have shot the ball at any moment, but we probably a little too unselfish. It led to some turnovers, but that just shows the type of basketball we're trying to play. We're trying to spray the ball, share the ball and put the ball in the basket."

The Washington Mystics will take on the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday morning as their final preseason game before finalizing their regular season roster.  One thing's for certain— the Fever's preseason opener vs. the Mystics did not disappoint