The Indiana Fever makes ambitious request regarding Sophie Cunningham, which Caitlin Clark also supports
The Fever have made their position clear as Cunningham’s breakout bench role fuels an awards push
Sophie Cunningham ’s second season with the Indiana Fever has become about far more than simply staying healthy.
After seeing her first year in Indiana cut short by injury, the veteran WNBA guard has returned as one of the league’s most efficient shooters and the Fever now believe she deserves recognition for it.
Ahead of Friday’s home game against the Connecticut Sun , Indiana publicly backed Cunningham for Sixth Player of the Year, making clear how highly the organization values the impact she has made off the bench.
“She gives us the juice when she comes in off the bench,” the Fever posted, before adding: “Sophie Cunningham for 6th Player of the Year.”
The endorsement comes during a season in which Cunningham has become an important part of a high-powered Indiana offense built around Caitlin Clark , Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston .
Through 38 games, Cunningham is averaging 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 47.6 percent from the field. Her biggest contribution has come from long range, where she has converted 44.1 percent of her three-point attempts and made 63 threes.
That percentage ranks among the best marks in the WNBA and has given Indiana another reliable perimeter threat when its starters need a spark.
Cunningham has built legitimate awards case
Cunningham ’s value has been particularly evident on nights when Indiana has needed secondary scoring.
Her best offensive performance of the season came against the Toronto Tempo on June 16, when she scored 24 points and made six of seven attempts from beyond the arc. The six made three-pointers matched her career high.
She delivered another major shooting performance in a 109-75 victory over the Las Vegas Aces , scoring 20 points while once again making six three-pointers. Cunningham has also produced in high-pressure moments.
Earlier this season against Connecticut , she scored 11 points over the final two minutes, including three 3-pointers, helping Indiana close out an 85-75 victory after the Sun threatened to make the finish uncomfortable.
Those performances have helped transform Cunningham from a useful rotation piece into one of the Fever ’s most dependable options outside their established core.
Fever message comes during record-setting season
Cunningham ’s individual resurgence has unfolded alongside one of the strongest seasons in franchise history. Indiana has reached 25 victories, setting a new franchise record while remaining firmly positioned in the postseason race.
Cunningham ’s ability to stretch defenses has played a meaningful role in that success, particularly when opponents focus their attention on Clark, Mitchell and Boston .
Her personality has also made her one of the team’s most visible players, with another playful pregame interaction going viral this week and adding to her growing profile in Indiana.
The more significant story, however, remains what she has done once the ball is in play.
Friday’s matchup with Connecticut gives Cunningham another opportunity to strengthen her award case against a team she has already punished in a crucial late-game stretch this season.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Indiana has already cast its unofficial vote. The question now is whether the rest of the WNBA will agree.
