The bond between Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark was forged during a challenging and emotional 2025 season with the Indiana Fever, and it appears that even the offseason has not dulled their competitive edge.
While injuries limited their time together on the floor, the connection between the two stars only seemed to grow stronger, setting the stage for a lighthearted but telling offseason moment that showcased Cunningham‘s relentless drive.
When Cunningham was traded to the Fever ahead of the 2025 campaign, she and Clark quickly became inseparable.
From the opening days of preseason training camp, the pair spent countless hours together as they adjusted to new roles and expectations. Unfortunately, their on-court partnership never fully materialized.
Cunningham missed time early due to ankle injuries before suffering a season-ending knee injury on August 17, while Clark appeared in just 13 games as she battled multiple soft tissue injuries.
Despite those setbacks, the shared adversity strengthened their relationship. Both players spent extended stretches in the training room and were frequently seen on the bench, energetically supporting teammates as the Fever defied expectations.
Their improbable postseason run ended in Game 5 of the WNBA Semifinals, where Indiana ultimately fell to the Las Vegas Aces, but the experience further solidified the culture within the locker room.
Clark and Cunningham go head to head
Even in the offseason, however, competition remains unavoidable. A recent social media challenge posted by the Indiana Fever highlighted just how seriously both players take even the smallest contests.
In the challenge, players were asked to blindly order four Fever hats placed in a wooden box beneath them. Cunningham‘s attempt, posted on December 4, ended almost immediately in success.
“You’re lying! Are you kidding? Wait, what are the odds?” Cunningham said when learning she nailed the order. “I’m that great!”
Clark‘s turn, shared by the Fever on December 20, was less efficient. Although she ultimately completed the task, it took her 30 seconds-a result that prompted an immediate reaction. “No!” Clark exclaimed upon hearing her time, seemingly aware that Cunningham had already set the standard.
There was a small consolation: teammate Lexie Hull finished in 34 seconds, meaning Clark avoided last place. Still, given Clark‘s well-documented competitive nature, coming in second to Cunningham is unlikely to sit well for long.
If nothing else, the moment served as a reminder that the rivalry-and the friendship-between Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark is very much alive, regardless of the calendar or the scoreboard.
Going separate ways
With the 2025 season now complete, the two stars have temporarily gone their separate ways geographically.
Clark has remained primarily in Indianapolis, while Cunningham returned to Arizona as she awaits WNBA free agency and determines whether her future includes a return to the Fever or a new destination in 2026.
They did reunite briefly in November in Florida, where Cunningham served as Clark‘s celebrity caddie at The Annika LPGA Pro-Am, offering a glimpse of their continued friendship away from basketball.
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