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Sophie Cunningham wasn't in uniform Thursday night, but that didn't stop her from becoming one of the Indiana Fever's most animated supporters. The Fever guard was ruled out ahead of Indiana's 114-106 overtime victory over the Chicago Sky because of an elbow injury. While she couldn't contribute on the court, Cunningham made her presence felt from the bench as she cheered on her teammates during one of the most entertaining games of the WNBA season.
And when Myisha Hines-Allen delivered perhaps the biggest defensive play of the night, Cunningham's reaction said everything. Late in regulation, with momentum swinging toward Chicago, Sky guard Jacy Sheldon appeared to have a clear path to the basket on a potential go-ahead layup. Hines-Allen had other ideas.
The veteran forward raced back in transition and erased the attempt with a spectacular chase-down block, sending the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd into a frenzy and helping preserve Indiana's chance to eventually win in overtime.
The highlight immediately became one of the most talked-about moments from the game.
She later echoed a similar sentiment on Instagram, adding:
"Oh dear baby Jesus."
The comments quickly caught the attention of Fever fans, many of whom were already celebrating a performance that helped Indiana improve to 7-5 on the season. While some fans connected the reaction to Cunningham's history with Sheldon, the post appeared to be more about appreciating a huge defensive play from a teammate during a critical moment.
MORE: Caitlin Clark joins Tamika Catchings in exclusive Fever history after monster night
Myisha Hines-Allen continues proving her value
Hines-Allen's box score wasn't flashy. She finished with five points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes, but her impact went far beyond the numbers.
Indiana signed Hines-Allen during the offseason hoping she would bring toughness, versatility and veteran leadership to a young roster built around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Thursday's win showcased exactly why the Fever wanted her.
Whether it was battling on the glass, defending multiple positions or delivering the night's signature defensive stop, Hines-Allen played a major role in Indiana surviving Chicago's comeback attempt.
The Fever led by as many as 19 points before the Sky stormed back to force overtime. Rather than folding, Indiana responded with a dominant extra period behind Clark, Boston and several key contributions from role players.
Fever finding momentum despite injuries
The win was another encouraging sign for a Fever team that continues to battle through injuries. Cunningham watched from the sideline while Clark once again starred, finishing with 32 points and 10 assists. Boston added another double-double as Indiana's star duo continued to establish itself as one of the most dangerous combinations in the WNBA.
Even from the bench, Cunningham remained fully engaged throughout the night, celebrating big baskets, defensive stops and key moments with teammates. Her social media reaction to Hines-Allen's block only reinforced what Fever fans have come to appreciate about Cunningham since arriving in Indiana: whether she's playing or not, she's all-in.
And after one of the nastiest blocks of the season, she made sure everyone knew exactly how she felt about it.
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