The WNBA Indiana Fever might’ve just shaken up the entire WNBA landscape after a starting lineup leak that’s setting social media on fire. Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Aliyah Boston—yeah, that’s the rumored starting five. But oddly enough, the bigger shock might be Sophie Cunningham’s reaction to her new bench role—a response that might just reveal this team has finally discovered the formula for championship chemistry.

Fever Star Sophie Cunningham Foresees ‘Hell’ Future of Playing Paige Bueckers

Indiana Fever standout Sophie Cunningham is already imagining what it will be like playing UConn star Paige Bueckers in the WNBA.

Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks on during the second half of the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks on during the second half of the national championship of the women’s 2025 NCAA tournament against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The 2025 WNBA Draft takes place on Monday night. And just like when the Indiana Fever had the No. 1 overall pick of last year’s WNBA Draft, there’s no doubt who the Dallas Wings (who have the first pick this year) will be using that prized pick on.

UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers is not only a tremendous talent on the court, but she’s also a massive superstar who will bring a ton of attention to her franchise, just as Clark did with Indiana one season ago. This is why Bueckers is the obvious pick for the Wings.

“You almost feel sorry for the other team because when Paige is locked in there’s nothing you can do to stop her”

Azzi Fudd talks about what it’s like to see Paige Bueckers take over in a game: — UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) March 25, 2025

WNBA veterans have likely had Bueckers (who is fresh off winning a 2025 national championship with UConn) on their radar for some time. And during an April 7 interview with The Mirror, Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made her opinion of Bueckers extremely clear, and predicted what it would be like to face her in the future.

“Paige Bueckers, I think she’s a hell of a player,” Cunningham said. “Something I really like about her is that she’s the ultimate teammate as well. Like, she’s not selfish. She’ll make the willing cast, she gets her own. But just her attitude and her vibe and everything she brings to the table, I think it’s awesome. The last two or three collegiate classes, they just have a lot of stardom.

“They have a huge platform that the college game has given them,” Cunningham continued. “And for them to come back and put it into the W, I just think it’s nothing but good things. I am excited for Paige. I think it’d be fun to play with her sometime at some point.

“Playing against her is going to be hell,” she concluded.

The Fever and Wings face off for the first time in 2025 on June 27 in a game that will attract a ton of eyeballs.