Sophie Cunningham received a warm reception from Phoenix Mercury fans as she returned to her former home on Thursday night.
Playing in the city where she spent the first six years of her WNBA career, the Indiana Fever forward was greeted with a tribute video and a standing ovation from the crowd at PHX Arena.
It was a touching moment for Cunningham, but the game itself was anything but sentimental.
Fever overwhelmed despite Cunningham’s strong night
The Mercury dominated from the start and cruised to a 95-60 victory, handing the Fever one of their worst losses of the season. It was Indiana’s second blowout defeat in just three days.
Still, Cunningham stood out. She led her team with 18 points, shooting an impressive 6-of-9 from the field and knocking down five three-pointers. She added two rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes, putting together one of her best outings in a Fever jersey.
It was a bittersweet night, as her personal performance was buried under the weight of her team’s struggles.
Cunningham opens up about her move from Phoenix
After the game, Cunningham was asked about her return to Phoenix. Her answer left little doubt about where she stands now.
“AZ was good to me, but I’m way happier where I’m at right now,” she said. “It’s good to see people. It was fun to play in front of some fans, but for me, I’m way happier in Indiana.”
Her words were direct and revealing. While she showed appreciation for her time in Arizona, Cunningham made it clear she feels more at ease and fulfilled in her new environment.
That’s a significant admission from the 28-year-old, who spent six seasons in Phoenix. Now, just six months into her tenure with the Fever, she appears to have found a better fit – both on and off the court.
A chance for Indiana to reset
Indiana will now head home after wrapping up a tough four-game road trip. Up next is a Saturday meeting with the Chicago Sky, a matchup that offers a much-needed opportunity to get back on track.
The Sky, still without Angel Reese, are in a difficult stretch of their own. Thursday’s loss was their ninth in ten games, and they currently sit near the bottom of the WNBA standings at 8-22. For the Fever, it’s a chance to reset and end their skid.
For Cunningham, the visit to Phoenix may not have delivered the result she wanted, but it confirmed something more important – she’s found a new home. And based on her words and performance, she’s ready to keep moving forward.
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