Sophie Cunningham reveals the Indiana Fever’s biggest weakness as Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell chase WNBA title glory Sophie Cunningham believes the Indiana Fever have one clear problem to solve if they want to make a serious run at the WNBA title: their defense. Indiana has one of the league’s best offenses, led by Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, but Cunningham knows that scoring alone may not be enough in the playoffs. She says the Fever must become more consistent on defense before they can call themselves title favorites.
Sophie Cunningham says Indiana Fever defense must improve
Speaking with Colin Cowherd on The Colin Cowherd Podcast, Cunningham was asked what Indiana needs to become a championship team. Her answer came quickly: defense and consistency.“I think consistency. I think us as a team, we know that when we are clicking, I don’t think anyone can beat us,” Cunningham said.She then pointed to the biggest concern.“Defensively, we struggle. We’re like 11th or 10th, and that’s not good whatsoever. Yes, we’re able to outscore opponents, but playoffs are a different ballgame.”The numbers back up her concern. StatMuse lists Indiana with a 116.5 offensive rating, the best mark in the WNBA, while its 109.2 defensive rating ranks 11th. The Fever are also averaging 97.0 points per game, another league best.That creates an unusual situation for Indiana. The Fever can put points on the board against almost anyone, but they have not been nearly as strong when they need to stop another team from scoring.Cunningham knows the difference could become even more important once the playoffs begin.“It’s a different type of beast, and you’ve got to show up on your defense,” she said. “I know in the W… I’m pretty sure the last six teams who have won it, they’ve all been top three or four, maybe besides one, in defense… and we’re just not there.”Her point is simple: Indiana cannot expect its offense to save it every night.
Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell give Indiana Fever enough offense
The Fever already have plenty of scoring options. Mitchell is averaging 25.0 points per game, while Clark is at 22.5, according to StatMuse. Clark is also averaging 8.4 assists per game, showing why she remains so important to Indiana’s offense.That firepower has helped Indiana reach the playoffs. The team is 26-14 and sits fifth overall in the WNBA standings, tied with Atlanta for the same record.Cunningham believes the Fever have enough talent to trouble any opponent when everything works together.“I think if we can just get a little bit better defensively, then I wouldn’t want to play us in the playoffs,” she said. “We definitely have all the offensive threats you could ask for. We’re a dangerous team, but again, there’s a lot of dangerous teams. So, it’s the little details.”Indiana has shown some value on the defensive glass, with Aliyah Boston and Makayla Timpson helping the team finish possessions with rebounds. But stopping opponents on the perimeter remains a bigger challenge.That leaves the Fever with a short window to improve before the postseason. Their offense has already given them a strong base. Now, Cunningham wants the defense to catch up.“It’s a different type of beast” in the playoffs, and for Indiana, the answer may be as simple as defending well enough to let its powerful offense do the rest.