The Indiana Fever are on fire, riding a five-game winning streak and claiming eight victories in their last 10 games, making them the hottest team in the WNBA. Remarkably, they’ve achieved this without their superstar, Caitlin Clark, who has missed seven straight games plus the All-Star Game due to lingering injuries.
The Fever’s record without Clark stands at an impressive 9-7, compared to 8-5 with her, showing their depth and resilience. While Clark’s absence is felt, head coach Stephanie White has done a stellar job, with 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston stepping up as WNBA Player of the Week, alongside veterans Natasha Howard, Kelsey Mitchell, and Sophie Cunningham, who have all played pivotal roles in keeping the team competitive.
Cunningham’s Podcast Sparks Fines Over Caitlin Clark Comments
Last week, Sophie Cunningham launched her podcast, Show Me Something, diving into the impact of Caitlin Clark since her rookie season. Reflecting on her time with the Phoenix Mercury, Cunningham shared how teammates planned to “show Clark what the WNBA is really about,” noting that while rookies often face tough initiations, Clark has endured excessive targeting. She didn’t hold back, saying, “It really frustrates me when people claim she’s not the face of the league. You’re absolutely clueless-straight-up clueless.”
In the second episode, Cunningham revealed the WNBA slapped her with a $1,500 fine for these remarks. “They emailed our GM, who pulled me aside with a smile and said, ‘Hey, they’re fining you again,'” Cunningham recounted. She expressed disbelief, pointing out she even acknowledged the difficulty of the league’s job.
This isn’t her first brush with WNBA discipline-she was fined $500 in July for a TikTok post poking fun at referees. Now under scrutiny from commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Cunningham’s rising fame has made her a target for the league’s watchful eye.
Cunningham Unfazed, Fever Eye Playoff Push
Don’t expect these fines to silence Sophie Cunningham-she’s likely to keep sharing her unfiltered opinions, perhaps even inviting Caitlin Clark for a Show Me Something episode to dive deeper.
The Fever, with 15 games left, are focused on maintaining their momentum. They have the luxury of easing Clark back without rushing her, reducing the chance of re-injury. Her pre-injury struggles likely stemmed from the pressure of being the WNBA’s biggest star and returning too soon. Learning to trust her teammates more could make the Fever unstoppable.
This week’s schedule is brutal, starting today against the Los Angeles Sparks, who’ve won seven of their last 10 behind Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink. Then, they face Cunningham former team, the Phoenix Mercury, the fourth-ranked team just above the Fever, and wrap up Saturday against the Chicago Sky and Angel Reese. The Clark-Reese rivalry, hyped since the season opener, hasn’t materialized due to injuries, but this matchup promises to be must-watch basketball.
Read the full article here
