When discussions around the Indiana Fever arise, they almost always begin with Caitlin Clark.
Yet, in the early stages of the 2025 WNBA season, one of her teammates has unexpectedly shifted the spotlight, both through performance and controversy.
Heralded as a generational talent and the face of the league, Clark‘s every move on and off the court attracts national attention but eyes are turning Sophie Cunningham, acquired in a multi-team trade from the Phoenix Mercury in February.
She has quickly become a focal point in Indiana’s rotation and is known for her high-energy play and versatility, making her become an indispensable piece of the Fever‘s second unit.
As a result, her performances in the first four games of the season have ignited buzz around her as a frontrunner for the WNBA’s Sixth Woman of the Year award. According to betting market @PolymarketSport, she currently leads the odds at +300.
Statistically she also backs up the praise. She has been efficient and productive. Averaging 7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.5 blocks per game, the 28-year-old has also posted an impressive 50% shooting clip both from the field and beyond the arc.
Her rise comes at a time when Indiana Fever ownership has significantly invested in building a competitive roster around Clark in their quest for a first WNBA championship since 2012.
With offseason signings such as DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Sydney Colson, and Brianna Turner, the Fever have bolstered a core that already includes stars like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
And Cunningham‘s role as a consistent spark plug off the bench fits perfectly within this upgraded team dynamic under the steady coaching guide of Stephanie White.
Cunningham roped into lawsuit
However, Cunningham‘s name was unexpectedly thrust into a legal controversy when she was mentioned in a civil lawsuit filed on May 13 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.
The suit, alleging workplace discrimination, includes a claim the Phoenix Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein had an affair with the professional basketballer during her time with the Mercury.
Cunningham has firmly denied any involvement, as has the WNBA who also condemned the allegations, slamming them as little more than “salacious lies and fabrications.”
“The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible,” said Stacey Mitch, vice president of communications for the Suns and Mercury, in a statement emailed to The Arizona Republic.
Despite the off-court distractions, Cunningham insists her focus remains solely on basketball.
Her play so far supports that claim as Indiana pushes forward in the early season, holding a 2-2 record through four matches.
She will have another opportunity to strengthen her case for Sixth Woman of the Year when the Fever face the Washington Mystics on Wednesday, May 28 at 19:30 ET/16:30 PT on NBA TV.
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