Fever veterans move on from reduced roles as rookie Johnson's minutes grow

Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham said no talks followed their shortened stints Sunday, while Raven Johnson's expanded role earned praise from coach Stephanie White.

Indiana Fever guards Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham said there were no discussions with the coaching staff after both played fewer than 13 minutes in Sunday's loss to the Washington Mystics. Hull, speaking to IndyStar, said she has been in the league long enough to know playing time can rise and fall and that players must stay prepared.

Cunningham logged 7:09 and went scoreless, missing both of her three-point attempts. Hull played 12:48, scoring two points with two rebounds and a steal. Rookie Raven Johnson was a factor in the shift, playing a career-high 26 minutes off the bench with six points, four rebounds, two blocks and a steal.

Coach Stephanie White highlighted Johnson's defensive intensity, noting she was the only Fever player with a positive plus/minus against Washington. White also said the team needs to put Hull and Cunningham in better positions to score while getting more from them defensively and on the boards.

Hull said the lineup decisions reflect experimentation ahead of the playoffs and credited Johnson for contributing on both ends. Hull was listed as a starter for Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Lynx.