Sophie Cunningham, a player for the Indiana Fever, expressed concerns regarding the team's recent performance following back-to-back losses on the West Coast. In a statement, Cunningham emphasized the need for the team to embrace their roles and adopt a tougher mindset, stating, "We're just too soft right now, and that's not what our identity is."
The Fever's recent struggles coincided with a sideline incident involving teammate Caitlin Clark and head coach Stephanie White, which garnered media attention. Following the incident, Cunningham mentioned that the team held a lengthy meeting to address their challenges and hopes it will lead to improvements.
Cunningham noted the meeting lasted nearly two hours and involved discussions among players and coaches. While specifics of the meeting were not disclosed, it was described as necessary for team cohesion. All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell commented on the sideline incident, framing it as a normal part of team dynamics, stating, "If you think everything is glitz and glamour, then you're mistaken."
Currently, the Fever hold a record of 4-4, placing them half a game out of the final playoff spot. Despite having the highest-scoring offense in the league, averaging 91.8 points per game, their defense has been a concern, allowing an average of 89 points per game, the second-highest in the WNBA. Cunningham indicated that the team did not review film from their recent loss to the Portland Fire, reflecting a desire to move past that game. The Fever are set to face the Atlanta Dream on Thursday evening.
