The Indiana Fever entered the postseason dismissed by many analysts as a one-and-done team.
After knocking out Atlanta in the opening round, Indiana‘s social media team made sure to remind critics of those predictions.
A post highlighting the doubters quickly spread, with Caitlin Clark and nearly every member of the roster resharing it.
For guard-forward Sophie Cunningham, that defiant tone continued on her Show Me Something podcast.
“The league is so mad that we won, because we’re literally not supposed to be here at all. And that just fuels our fire even more,” she said.
Cunningham‘s words echoed Clark‘s viral moment earlier in the summer when, fresh off the Fever‘s stunning Commissioner’s Cup victory over Minnesota, she quipped, “I just know everybody in the league is SICK.”
Both statements underline how Indiana has leaned into the idea of being unwelcome challengers disrupting the WNBA‘s hierarchy.
Reaction from fans and media
Just as Clark‘s postgame jab stirred debate, Cunningham‘s comments set off another round of discussion.
When Yahoo Sports shared her remarks on X, fans split sharply, some praising Indiana‘s bravado, others criticizing the team for exaggerating its underdog status.
The conversation extended beyond fans. A leading WNBA reporter also weighed in, pointing out that the Fever have not only embraced the perception of being outsiders but actively used it to shape their identity.
For supporters, it has added fuel to their enthusiasm; for rivals, it has only sharpened the target on Indiana‘s back.
A mindset built for the postseason
Whether the narrative is fair or not, the Fever seem energized by it. Every time they point to doubters or claim the league is rooting against them, it reinforces the chip on their shoulder.
That edge has already carried them further than many expected, and with the semifinals underway, they appear determined to keep leaning on that fuel.
Looking ahead, the Fever‘s ability to maintain that edge while staying disciplined could decide whether their Cinderella run ends in the semifinals or extends all the way to a shot at the championship.
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