Ever since the Indiana Fever dropped a tough one to the Golden State Valkyries, the pressure has only intensified, and rightfully so. With just two months left before the playoffs, every possession, every decision, and every moment counts. As one of the most closely watched championship contenders this season, the Fever have no choice but to fully embrace head coach Stephanie White’s “win-now” mentality. And if there was ever a moment to shift gears, it’s now. Well, Sophie Cunningham put it best: “We’re running out of time, to be honest. I think that’s gonna light a fire under our butts,” she said before the game against the Atlanta Dream. And that fire? It was burning exactly where she said it would!
Well, the energy showed up in a big way as the Indiana Fever hosted the Dream in Indianapolis. It was a highly competitive matchup until Caitlin Clark and company pulled away with a dominant 99–82 win. But this wasn’t just about pushing their season record to 10–10, tying them with the Washington Mystics at No. 7 in the standings. It was a complete win, one that delivered momentum and milestones.
Well, the game marked Sophie Cunningham’s first-ever double-double in Indianapolis as a member of the Fever, as she scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. And as is tradition in the Fever locker room, loyalty and celebration go hand in hand. Sophie, known for being Clark’s “guardian angel,” was front and center in the post-game spotlight.
Moments after the final buzzer, Caitlin Clark let the scoreboard do all the talking. She hopped on Instagram and reposted the Fever’s victory post, featuring none other than Cunningham. Clark added no caption, no emoji, and let the vibes do the talking. As Cunningham said about her stellar performance, “It’s about dang time“. Even teammate Aliyah Boston reposted it on her own story, simply captioning it: “Double double.” Sweet, right? But Sophie earned every bit of that love. It was just the second double-double of her seven-year WNBA career, and she made it count, shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, going 5-for-9 from the field, and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line to notch a season-high in points.
May 28, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) reacts to a call by the referee in the second half against the Washington Mystics at Entertainment & Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images
Especially when you consider she did all of that after an injury scare in the second quarter. The 28-year-old had gone down hard, with Brionna Jones literally falling on top of her head. But Sophie? She brushed it off like a champ. “I laugh when I’m in pain,” she shared in the postgame presser. “I just tried to get a jump ball and [Jones is] a good-sized post and she is strong as hell. I give her all the credit—I wish I had that strength.”
Toughness, poise, and a whole lot of personality, Sophie’s finally settled into her role. And just as she predicted back in April when she arrived in Indiana via offseason trade: “I can shoot the ball well, but what I need to do is work hard and be myself… When you have people willing to put their egos aside, it’s actually easy to settle in.” But, for Sophie, it’s not just about playing, it’s about the people around her. And by the looks of it, she’s exactly where she belongs!
The Indiana Fever is a new home for Sophie!
Nearly everyone on the Fever’s squad is equally supportive, whether it’s Kelsey Mitchell, Sydney Colson, or, of course, Caitlin Clark. The team has gone on to establish one of the most visible and vibrant friendships in the league. That’s because they don’t just play together, they celebrate and uplift each other every step of the way. Just consider the bond between Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston, who regularly engage in playful banter and genuine camaraderie.
Remember after the Fever won the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup and Boston posted a celebratory TikTok? Sophie cheekily replied, “6th slide is my new personality.” And that wasn’t the only moment. They even teamed up for a viral TikTok collab to the audio “My Main,” which fans absolutely loved. The lighthearted content not only gave fans a peek behind the curtain, but also revealed the deep friendship they share.
Following the Commissioner’s Cup payday, Cunningham shared a victory post saying, “WINNAS hello 30k,” to which Boston confidently responded with a “Perioddddd.” Well, all these moments go beyond laughs and social media as they highlight the kind of chemistry that fuels a strong locker room culture.
And that’s just one of many bonds that exist inside the Fever locker room. We’ve seen the squad supporting each other time and again during games. Even their recent matchup against the Atlanta Dream was no exception, as when AB fouled out with six personals, the entire Fever squad stood and clapped for her, sending a clear message: they’ve got each other’s backs, always!
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