{"id":873895,"date":"2026-10-07T12:04:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T12:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/873895\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T12:04:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T12:04:17","slug":"sophie-cunningham-reveals-what-hurt-fever-before-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/873895\/","title":{"rendered":"Sophie Cunningham Reveals What ‘Hurt’ Fever Before Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Sophie\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

DALLAS, TEXAS – AUGUST 20: Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever waits for player introductions prior to a game against the Dallas Wings at American Airlines Center on August 20, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The Indiana Fever<\/a> came up way short of their goal of winning a WNBA<\/a> championship this season.<\/p>\n

The Fever were eliminated in the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs by the Las Vegas Aces<\/a> in three games. They put up a valiant effort, but they were outlasted in Game 3 in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Entering the postseason, the Fever appeared to have lost momentum after dropping to the No. 6 seed.<\/p>\n

Sophie Cunningham on What \u2018Hurt\u2019 Fever Before Playoffs<\/p>\n

\n\"Sophie<\/a>GettySophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever reacts against the New York Liberty<\/a> during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 18, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.\n<\/p>\n

On a recent episode of her\u00a0No Hesitations<\/a> podcast with Drew Hanlen, Sophie Cunningham put part of the blame on the FIBA World Cup break for the Indiana Fever\u2019s slide in the final four games of the regular season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were so good, and it was so much fun,\u201d Cunningham said. \u201cThe squad really loved each other. I don\u2019t want to say this. I think FIBA kind of hurt our momentum a little bit. Maybe we peaked too soon, maybe we peaked to late. But we really did have a hell of a year, and I had so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fever were 8-2 in their last 10 games before the FIBA World Cup break. They went 2-2 in the final four games of the regular season, which caused them to drop from the No. 4 spot to the No. 6 seed.<\/p>\n

Caitlin Clark<\/a>, Aliyah Boston<\/a> and coach Stephanie White<\/a> were part of Team USA that won gold medal at the World Cup in Germany.<\/p>\n

Fever Told to Move on From Cunningham<\/p>\n

\n\"Sophie<\/a>GettySophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever during the WNBA game against the Phoenix Mercury<\/a> at Mortgage Matchup Center on July 09, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Fever defeated the Mercury 92-89.\n<\/p>\n

Sophie Cunningham is set to become a free agent this offseason, though she\u2019s not a top priority since Kelsey Mitchell<\/a>\u2018s contract is also expiring.<\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2019s Candace Buckner<\/a> encouraged the Indiana Fever to move on from Cunningham due to the complicated nature of personality and the distraction it may have caused during the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was the season when the Fever and even the whole Caitlin Clark experience took a backseat to a bench player with big opinions,\u201d Buckner wrote. \u201cSo if the Fever ever want to go back to being a basketball team again and follow the lead of rivals openly clashing with the forces trying to hijack their league, then Cunningham has to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\"Sophie<\/a>GettySophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever brings the ball up court during the game against the Atlanta Dream<\/a> at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 4, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.\n<\/p>\n

Buckner was alluding to former NBA players Enes Freedom<\/a> and Royce White<\/a> attending WNBA games to cause a distraction.<\/p>\n

While both players are trying to be supportive of women by being against transgender athletes entering the WNBA, there are no transgender athletes in the league at the moment.<\/p>\n

As popular as Cunningham was with the Fever fanbase, it\u2019s hard to argue that she caused at least a bit of distraction this season.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJuan Paolo David<\/a> Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He’s currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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