CHICAGO — Ahead of Caitlin Clark’s technical foul that wasn’t and a hard foul on Sophie Cunningham that resulted in a flagrant 2 and ejection for DiJonai Carrington, the Indiana Fever made a change to their starting lineup against the Chicago Sky on Saturday afternoon.
Fever coach Stephanie White opted to put second-year forward Makayla Timpson, who has seen her minutes rise throughout the season, into the starting lineup over veteran Monique Billings.
“(Timpson’s) been playing really well,” White said. “She gives us a different look on the defensive end because of her versatility. She doesn’t try to play outside of herself, and I like the combination of her and (Aliyah Boston), and then when we can bring Mo in to back up the five.”
And, in 32 minutes against the Sky in the 90-86 win, Timpson showed why she was deserving of that starting spot.
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She picked up a career high three assists in her first five minutes on the floor and was a constant disruptor in the paint, forcing the Sky to fight for their rebounds. Timpson finished the game with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, along with three rebounds, three assists and a block.
“It was just being confident in myself, believing in myself, always staying ready so I don’t have to get ready,” Timpson said. “The coaches trust me, and my teammates trust me out on the court, so just be who I am.”
Of course, that means Billings, who the Fever signed to a two-year, $1.6 million contract ahead of the 2026 season, will be coming off the bench. Billings, a seven-year veteran, naturally plays the five, and both she and the Fever knew coming into this season she was going to have to adjust to playing the four.
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That adjustment hasn’t happened as they hoped so far. Billings has improved immensely at the four compared to the beginning of the season, but she still looks more comfortable at the five.
Especially with Damiris Dantas now out for the season with a meniscus tear, Indiana needs some quality depth behind Boston — who has been playing with a nagging leg injury all season. And Billings can provide that depth.
“I think when you look at AB and Mo on the floor, it’s a different look than it is if KK on the floor with either one of them,” White said. “So, we just liked what it was going to give us from a number standpoint, accommodation standpoint, and a substitution pattern standpoint.”
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why a 2nd-year forward started for the Indiana Fever over a high-paid veteran
Reporting by Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
