Sophie Cunningham joined the Indiana Fever last season and was an instant hit with the fans. Her aggressive intent on the hardwood pretty much defined her game. But following a brutal MCL injury, the 29-year-old had to spend most of her season on the sidelines. Thankfully, with positive updates coming in for Cunningham, the former Phoenix Mercury star was all set for the new season.
However, even before the season started, the Missouri native made a controversial comment regarding her contract. And now, escalating the tensions further, Fever head coach Stephanie White has hinted at some tough decisions coming up.
Stephanie White Needs More Effort From Sophie Cunningham
Fever faced off against the Dallas Wings in their season opener. With the hype skyrocketing over Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers’ duel, it was Wings who took the victory with a 107-104 scoreline. Returning after a long injury break, Cunningham looked quite rusty. And that is something the head coach wants to change in the upcoming games.
Speaking with the reporters on Monday, White said, “Yeah, I thought she was good. You know, Sophie’s solid for us — on the defensive end, rebounding, her activity level, her communication. We’ve got to find her more though. I mean, you know, she’s a knockdown three-point shooter. I thought we missed her a lot. We missed her open looks.”
Was great to hear Steph admit they missed Soph on a lot of open shots in last game. Hopefully it’s something they can work on and do better about. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/d1ftK2F9eF
— KAYLA 🏀🔥 (@kbfever93) May 11, 2026
The 29-year-old star logged in for only 26 minutes in the game. Struggling with her form, the star player could only muster three points, four rebounds, and three assists. The 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champion also struggled with her shooting. Throughout her time on the court, the 6-foot-1 star made only two shot attempts, out of which Cunningham nailed one.
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Meanwhile, with White urging the Fever star to up her game, the 29-year-old is all praises for her head coach.
Sophie Cunningham Hails Stephanie White For Her Warm Nature
For any team to find success continuously, the head coach needs to create a friendly atmosphere within the locker room. And according to Cunningham, that is exactly what White has done with the Fever. In a recent statement to the media, the former Mercury star pointed out how the Fever head coach maximizes the team’s productivity by making them comfortable.
“When you have a coach who really pours into your personal life and truly loves you for you, I just think that speaks volumes, especially at this level,” said Cunningham.
"When you have a coach who really pours into your personal life and truly loves you for you, I just think that speaks volumes, especially at this level."
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 4, 2026
Sophie Cunningham talks about head coach Stephanie White's impact ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hOsKNBboXm
Thus, with a lot going on, fans are eager to know how Cunningham will pace herself in the next games.