Sophie Cunningham’s second season with the Indiana Fever has become about much more than staying healthy. After an injury ended her rookie campaign in Indiana, the veteran WNBA guard has returned as one of the league’s most efficient shooters—and the Fever believe her production deserves Sixth Player of the Year recognition.
Before Friday’s home game against the Connecticut Sun, Indiana publicly endorsed Cunningham for the award, highlighting the impact she has made as a reserve.
“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.”
Sophie Cunningham builds a strong Sixth Player of the Year case
The endorsement comes during a season in which Cunningham has become an important part of Indiana’s high-powered offense, which features 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% from the field. Her biggest contribution has come from three-point range, where she is converting 44.1% of her attempts and has made 63 threes.
That accuracy ranks among the best in the WNBA and has given Indiana another reliable perimeter threat when its starters need an offensive spark.
Cunningham’s value has been especially clear when the Fever have 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 again making six three-pointers.
Cunningham has also produced in high-pressure situations. Earlier this season against Connecticut, she scored 11 points during the final two minutes, including three three-pointers, to help Indiana secure an 85-75 victory after the Sun threatened to make the finish uncomfortable.
Those performances have helped transform Cunningham from a useful rotation player into one of the Fever’s most dependable options outside their established core.
Indiana Fever enjoying a record-setting season
Cunningham’s resurgence has unfolded alongside one of the strongest seasons in franchise history. Indiana has won 25 games, setting a new franchise record while remaining firmly in the postseason race.
Her ability to stretch opposing defenses has played a meaningful role in that success, particularly when teams focus their attention on Clark, Mitchell and Boston.
Cunningham’s personality has also made her one of the Fever’s most visible players. Another playful pregame interaction went viral this week, adding to her growing profile in Indiana.
The more significant story, however, remains her production once the game begins. Friday’s matchup with Connecticut gives Cunningham another opportunity to strengthen her Sixth Player of the Year case against a team she already hurt with a crucial late-game scoring burst 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.
Source: www.marca.com