.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
The Indiana Fever's most recent game, a win over the Portland Fire, produced plenty of headlines.
Caitlin Clark was out with an injury. Lexie Hull didn't miss a shot. It prompted a roster move to replace a guard with a frontcourt player.
One thing that flew under the radar? Sophie Cunningham.
She played just 15 minutes in the victory, scoring just two points while making 1-of-5 shots from the floor.
Cunningham, for the second consecutive game, came off the bench rather than starting.
It continued a notable trend: Cunningham is averaging her fewest minutes per game (22.6) since the 2021 season.
MORE: Cameron Brink has the perfect response to coach comments
Her averages in points, steals, rebounds, minutes, field goal percentage and 3-point percentage are all down from the 2025 season, which was her first with Indiana.
Yes, it's early, but this is at least somewhat notable. Cunningham getting just 15 minutes in a game Clark didn't even play signals that Fever coach Stephanie White is at least considering other directions with her rotation.
In some ways, Cunningham is a better complementary player to Clark than she is to the rest of Indiana's roster. She considers herself Clark's "enforcer," and her spot-up 3-point shooting also is more valuable when Clark is creating the space and finding her with passes.
Clark missed much of last season with injury, though, and Cunningham continued to get plenty of playing time -- although it's worth noting she started just 13 of the 30 games she played in 2025, too.
There will be fluctuations, but this isn't the start Cunningham would've wanted to the 2026 season after signing to remain in Indiana.
English (US)