Lexie Hull just exploded for 14 points, hitting six of eight shots, including two 3-pointers, and grabbing two rebounds in 26 minutes during the Fever’s dominant 113-90 victory over the Chicago Sky. This was her first double-digit scoring game since July 9 against the Phoenix Mercury, a massive breakthrough after a rough stretch where she put up four scoreless games. The wild part? Coach Stephanie White never once took her out of the starting lineup.
The “Show Up” Mentality That Kept Hull On The Court
White’s message was clear: Hull’s starting spot wasn’t about her shots falling. Even during this prolonged offensive slump, Hull kept her starting role for one of the WNBA’s top teams. You gotta wonder how she kept her head up, right? White acknowledged that the slump definitely messed with Hull’s confidence. But she told us Wednesday, “Certainly was struggling with confidence, but you could never tell in the way that she shows up. She’s always going to show up. She’s always going to stay ready.” That’s the kind of grit you absolutely need. Hull’s stat line of 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 19 minutes per game doesn’t scream “starter,” but she’s started 36 consecutive games after coming off the bench in the first three. Her defense, though? That’s the real story. At 6-foot-1, Hull’s got the size and versatility to take on tough perimeter assignments, letting stars like Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell save their energy for offense.
Why Coaches Stick With Their Guys (And Gals!)
This wasn’t some feel-good story where White kept Hull in to boost her confidence. Nope, White said Hull stayed a starter “because she impacts us winning, especially on the defensive end of the floor.” And that distinction is huge. So many coaches out there fold under pressure when a starter’s offense dries up, but White looked deeper. She focused on how Hull fit into the Fever’s most effective combinations and what messing with the lineup might do to the bench. It’s smart, man. White confirmed, “We look at all the analytics just as much as who’s making shots. It’s also important to have punch off the bench and make sure you get production off the bench.” Hull’s monster game against Chicago showed what this lineup can become when she adds offense to her usual defensive lockdown. Clark went for 37 points and Mitchell dropped 30, a combined 67 points from their star backcourt. Hull didn’t need to be the third high-volume scorer, she just needed to make the defense pay for focusing on Clark and Mitchell. And she did just that, hitting six of eight shots and those two critical 3-pointers to stretch Chicago’s defense even thinner.
The Fever are closing out their pre-break schedule this Friday at home against the Connecticut Sun. After that, the league pauses for three weeks for the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Hull’s shooting performance doesn’t guarantee her slump is totally over, but it sure as hell reinforces why Coach White never lost faith. What a game!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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