SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SHINES IN FEVER’S CUP WIN — THEN SHAKES IT OFF WITH A LOCKER ROOM CELEBRATION THAT WENT VIRAL

With Caitlin Clark sidelined, Sophie Cunningham stepped up big — on the court, and later, online — as the Indiana Fever stunned the top-seeded Lynx to take home the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Indianapolis, IN — In a season dominated by headlines surrounding Caitlin Clark, it was Sophie Cunningham who delivered the signature moment on Tuesday night — not just with a clutch three-pointer that sealed the Indiana Fever’s championship win, but with a locker room celebration that lit up social media.

With Clark nursing a groin strain and cheering from the sidelines, the Fever overcame a sluggish start and powered past the Minnesota Lynx, 74–59, to win the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup — the franchise’s first Cup title and a defining statement in the league’s evolving power structure.

The Fever trailed by as many as 13 points early, but mounted a fierce comeback led by a balanced attack: Natasha Howard dominated the paint with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Aliyah Boston, Aari McDonald, Kelsey Mitchell, and Sophie Cunningham each contributed double-digit scoring.

Cunningham, who’s been thrust into the spotlight in recent weeks for both her aggressive on-court style and unfiltered public remarks, played arguably her most composed game of the season — and punctuated it with a game-sealing three-pointer late in the fourth quarter that silenced a Minnesota rally.

But it wasn’t just her shot that had people talking.

Sophie Cunningham (Photos via Twitter)

A Game-Winner — Then a Viral Moment

After the final buzzer, Fever players streamed into the locker room to celebrate the hard-fought victory — with tens of thousands watching via Instagram Live.

And that’s when Sophie Cunningham stole the show again.

Grinning ear to ear, Cunningham dropped into a deep squat and started twerking in front of the camera — sending fans into a frenzy and sparking immediate reactions across social media platforms.

Clips of the dance went viral within minutes, with some fans praising her for “keeping it real” and “bringing energy to the league,” while others called the celebration “wildly unprofessional” for a championship moment.

“She played like a warrior and danced like a rockstar,” one fan posted on X. “You might not like her, but Sophie is box office.”

Without Clark, Fever Found Their Grit

Caitlin Clark, who last played on June 24 before being sidelined with a groin injury, has remained engaged with the team, acting as an emotional leader from the bench. Tuesday night was no exception.

Clark stood, clapped, shouted, and encouraged teammates throughout the game as Indiana’s defense stifled the Lynx — holding Minnesota to their worst offensive output of the season at just 34.9% shooting from the field.

When the Lynx trimmed the lead to 60–51 with five minutes left, the momentum threatened to swing. That’s when Cunningham drilled her third 3-pointer of the night — a dagger that sent the Fever bench erupting and effectively iced the game.

Controversial Comments on Expansion Still Linger

The performance came just one day after Cunningham made waves with her public comments about the WNBA’s expansion plans — comments that some viewed as dismissive toward cities that had just been awarded teams.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Cunningham questioned whether Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia — the three cities announced as WNBA expansion sites through 2030 — were the right picks.

“I’m not so sure what the thought process is there,” Cunningham said. “But man, I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or Cleveland.”

Instead, she pitched alternative cities like Miami, Nashville, and Kansas City, citing vibrant fan bases, player lifestyle preferences, and existing sports infrastructure.

“There’s a huge arena downtown [in Kansas City] that no one’s using,” she said. “And the [NWSL’s] Current draws fans there. I think players would get excited to go to places like that.”

Her remarks drew sharp pushback from some WNBA fans, particularly in Cleveland and Detroit, who viewed the comments as disrespectful. Others, however, said she was merely speaking truths about player experience and the importance of market selection as the league grows.

“I also think that you want to listen to your players,” she added. “Where do they want to play? Where are they gonna get excited to play and draw fans?”

Cunningham: Lightning Rod or Locker Room Leader?

Whether you love her or hate her, Sophie Cunningham has become one of the WNBA’s most talked-about personalities in 2025 — a bruising, high-energy veteran who doesn’t hold back.

She’s earned both praise and criticism for her physical defense, emotional leadership, and now, off-court candor. But this week, she proved something else — she’s also a closer, with the confidence to back up her words.

“I’m just trying to play hard, support my teammates, and have fun,” Cunningham said after the game. “Tonight, we showed what we’re made of.”

Her coach, Stephanie White, lauded the team’s resilience in Clark’s absence. “We’ve been tested this season,” White said. “But these women stepped up — and Sophie was a huge part of that.”

What’s Next for the Fever?

The Fever now enter the second half of the season with renewed confidence and a possible return of Caitlin Clark looming. Tuesday’s win not only secured a trophy — it may have solidified Indiana’s identity: a team that blends star power, veteran grit, and unapologetic emotion.

And whether it’s for her timely threes, her controversial comments, or her dance moves, Sophie Cunningham is making sure the world knows she’s not fading into the background anytime soon.

Sophie Cunningham is Still Trying To Recover From Recent Comments

Sophie Cunningham (Photo By Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham offered an interesting take Tuesday on the cities the WNBA selected for its three expansion franchises.

Following Monday’s announcement about Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Detroit, she suggested other cities she believes are worthy of being awarded a WNBA franchise.

“I also think that you want to listen to your players, too,” Cunningham said.

“Where do they want to play? Where are they gonna get excited to play and draw fans? I do think that Miami would have been a great [location]. Everyone loves Florida.

Nashville is an amazing city. Kansas City, amazing opportunity. There’s a huge arena downtown that no one’s using,” Cunningham continued, adding that the NWSL’s Current — co-owned by Chiefs quarterback and Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany — draws fans to Kansas City.

“I’m not so sure what the thought process is there, but at the end of the day, you want to make sure that you’re not expanding our league too fast. I think that’s also another thing. It’s kind of a hard decision-making situation. But man, I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland].”

The WNBA is expanding to Cleveland in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030, bringing the league to 18 teams.