:root {--color-black:#000000;--color-blue:#0066CC;--color-darkGrey:#212121;--color-grey:#8B8B8B;--color-lightGrey:#f0f0f0;--color-primary:#e03a3e;--color-secondary:#b6b6b6;--color-white:#FFFFFF;--font-family-big:industry;--font-weight-big:500;--font-size-big-lg:18px;--font-size-big-md:18px;--font-size-big-sm:18px;--font-family-bigger:industry;--font-weight-bigger:700;--font-size-bigger-lg:16px;--font-size-bigger-md:16px;--font-size-bigger-sm:16px;--font-family-gigantic:industry;--font-weight-gigantic:700;--font-size-gigantic-lg:34px;--font-size-gigantic-md:34px;--font-size-gigantic-sm:26px;--font-family-huge:industry;--font-weight-huge:700;--font-size-huge-lg:32px;--font-size-huge-md:32px;--font-size-huge-sm:24px;--font-family-large:industry;--font-weight-large:700;--font-size-large-lg:28px;--font-size-large-md:28px;--font-size-large-sm:22px;--font-family-normal:mencken-std;--font-weight-normal:400;--font-size-normal-lg:18px;--font-size-normal-md:18px;--font-size-normal-sm:18px;--font-family-tiny:industry;--font-weight-tiny:500;--font-size-tiny-lg:14px;--font-size-tiny-md:14px;--font-size-tiny-sm:14px;}:root{view-transition-name:none}Sophie Cunningham Emerges as Fever Enforcer in Standing Up for Caitlin ClarkSophie Cunningham made it clear she and the Indiana Fever won't be pushed around amid a frenzied contest with the Connecticut Sun.|Copy ArticleIndiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) celebrates her teammates Tuesday, June 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. | Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesCopy ArticleAccording to Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, the Indiana Fever needed an enforcer last season. Rookie phenom Caitlin Clark was new to the league and her presence on the court drew an accelerated amount of physicality, prompting widespread concern that officials weren’t doing enough to protect her.Draymond says the Indiana Fever should “invest in an enforcer” after seeing teams go after Caitlin Clark 👀 — Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) Cue Sophie Cunningham.A six-year WNBA veteran, Cunningham was acquired by the Fever this offseason and fully embraces the fiery reputation she’s earned over the years, stating at her “I’m fierce, I’m sassy, I stick up for my teammates, I stick up for myself… I think it’s OK to be feisty and be yourself.”Cunningham backed up that sentiment Tuesday night when the Fever faced off against the Connecticut Sun. Tension had been building throughout the game, fueled by some trash talk and physical play between former college rivals Jacy Sheldon and Cunningham’s teammate Caitlin Clark. That intensity boiled over into a dust-up after Sheldon poked Clark in the eye. As Clark grabbed at her face, the two exchanged shoves—prompting Sheldon’s teammate Marina Mabrey to rush in and knock Clark to the ground while her back was turned.Umm this angle is 😮 — Jess (@FeverBandwagon) Many felt the altercation , as Mabrey remained in the game with only a technical foul—a decision that added fuel to a growing sentiment this season that the Fever––and Clark in particular––aren’t being adequately protected. That frustration carried into the final minute, when Cunningham delivered a hard foul on Sheldon during a fastbreak layup attempt, sparking speculation about whether Cunningham was delivering a message that Indiana had had enough.Finally a teammate got Caitlin Clark’s back after the assault she’s taken tonight. Sophie Cunningham you are a G. — Matthew Barnett (@MatthewBarnett) In the teams’ previous meet-up, Sheldon’s physical play sent Indiana guard Sydney Colson out of the game with injury and chipped Cunningham's tooth. So whether it was retaliation, frustration, or just a vet making a statement, it’s clear that Cunningham wasn’t going to let her teammates––or herself––get pushed around without a response.Jacy did this to her last game. I think that played a role. — Ken Swift (@kenswift) If Indiana needed an enforcer to balance out the scales where the officiating has fallen short, they look to have found it in Sophie Cunningham.Recommended Reading:Published Jun 18, 2025 | Modified Jun 18, 2025Rosalina Lee is one of the premiere content creators in the women’s basketball space. She has written for such companies as Red Bull Sports and has teamed up with notable brands such as Madison Square Garden, going behind the scenes with the New York Knicks and Rangers. She is currently offering analysis and fresh takes into the world of women’s basketball on her YouTube channel, and now with Indiana Fever On SI and Women's Fastbreak On SI, keeping fans in the loop with all the latest action!Copy Article/ ScheduleCookie Settings© 2025 - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER., Sophie Elizabeth Cunningham (born August 16, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Missouri Tigers.Cunningham attended Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri, becoming the all-time leading scorer for the girls' basketball program., 570K Followers, 1,315 Following, 119 Posts - Sophie Cunningham (@sophie_cham) on Instagram: ": she is fearless bc she is faithful : wnba hooper : adidas athlete \\\ : inquiries-> addison@prp-lv.com".