In a turbulent preseason debut for the Indiana Fever, veteran guard Sophie Cunningham became the center of controversy after enduring two violent altercations on the court. With Caitlin Clark sidelined due to a precautionary leg issue, Cunningham took the reins—and the blows—during the Fever’s clash with the Washington Mystics. Her resilience and fiery competitiveness were tested when she was twice slammed to the ground, igniting tensions between both teams.
The first incident erupted in the second quarter during a rebounding battle with Mystics rookie Kiki Iriafen. Cameras captured Iriafen wrapping her arm around Cunningham’s torso before aggressively flinging her to the floor. Cunningham immediately sprang to her feet, unleashing a sharp verbal rebuke at the rookie in a moment that underscored her refusal to be intimidated. Iriafen was swiftly issued a flagrant foul for the excessive force.
But the physicality didn’t end there. Later in the game, Mystics guard Brittney Sykes delivered another blow, shoving Cunningham to the ground. This time, Fever veteran DeWanna Bonner came to her teammate’s defense, shouting in protest as the animosity between the squads intensified. The Fever bench erupted, echoing the crowd’s outrage over the unchecked aggression Cunningham endured throughout the match.
Despite the bruises, Cunningham proved her mettle, leading the Fever to a narrow 79-74 overtime victory. She posted a commanding 21 points off the bench, shooting 6-for-11 from the field, and added eight rebounds and two assists to seal the win. Her performance silenced critics and elevated her as an emotional and competitive force for Indiana in Clark’s absence.
Sykes concluded the night with 18 points for the Mystics, while Iriafen contributed seven points in 16 minutes. As for Caitlin Clark, the Fever are taking a cautious approach with her minor leg tightness. But Cunningham’s fiery leadership may have sent a clear message—the Fever are no longer just about Clark’s spotlight; they’re a team ready to fight, literally and figuratively, for every win.