Sophie Cunningham’s Battle Cry: “I Stick Up for My Teammates”
When Julie Vanloo wrapped her arm around Sophie Cunningham’s neck in the final chaotic seconds of an 89–87 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, the Fever guard might have been justified in reacting angrily. Instead, Cunningham simply smiled, laughed, and let the moment pass. A few minutes later, she stunned everyone with six simple words: “I stick up for my teammates.”
That declaration has become the rallying cry for a franchise searching for identity midway through Caitlin Clark’s groin recovery. Indiana arrived at Crypto.com Arena riding a wave of confidence, fresh off three straight statement victories: a tough win over Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, a dominant performance in the Commissioner’s Cup final against the Minnesota Lynx, and an inspired outing against Las Vegas’s other star, A’ja Wilson. All without Clark, who has missed ten games this season.
When Clark went down with her injury, the Fever’s offense immediately lost its usual tempo and precision. What had once been a fast-break machine with crisp ball movement slowed to a crawl. Aaliyah Boston, the team’s dominant post presence, found herself starved for touches in the paint. Coach Stephanie White admitted that she missed Clark’s vision and playmaking, especially in those late-game situations.
Even so, Indiana entered this rematch as a comfortable favorite—ESPN gave them a 72.9% chance to win, and oddsmakers installed them as six-and-a-half-point favorites over a Sparks team with a 5–13 record. Instead, Indiana blew a six-point lead with five minutes remaining and saw their three-game winning streak disappear in the final minute. The Fever missed their last five shots and committed crucial turnovers, while the Sparks clawed out the victory.
But the final score barely hints at what happened on the court—or at the sidelines. As tensions mounted in the second half, the referees began making baffling calls. Spark stars who finished the game with minimal contact drew fouls, while clean defensive plays—most notably an emphatic block by Sydney Colson—were initially whistled as personal fouls and required lengthy video review to overturn. Meanwhile, Fever players endured blatant hits without so much as a whistle. When Cunningham and Vanloo tangled for a loose ball, the officials ruled it a jump ball and failed to protect Cunningham, who had a fistful of Vanloo’s jersey pressed against her throat.
“It was just part of the game,” Cunningham would later say. “I think the refs had a lot to do with that. At the end of the day, I’m going to protect my teammates. That’s what I do.” Coach White, visibly frustrated, summed it up bluntly in her postgame press conference: “We didn’t get the calls.”
Despite the chaos, three Fever veterans refused to let the circumstances define the outcome. Aaliyah Boston poured in 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, displaying the efficiency and toughness Indiana needs in the paint. Kelsey Mitchell knocked down 19 points, including three timely three-pointers, and moved into second place on the franchise’s all-time games played list. Natasha Howard chipped in with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting and nearly secured her 2,000th career rebound. Each veteran battled through rough officiating, missed opportunities, and the absence of their All-Star teammate.
Yet it was Sophie Cunningham’s six-word proclamation that resonated most deeply. She was reminding everyone exactly who she—and the Fever—are. Cunningham has long embraced the enforcer role: diving for every loose ball, setting hard screens, and standing up for teammates when the game turns ugly. Earlier this season, she drew criticism and a technical foul for a hard foul on Jack Sheldon. She didn’t back down. Instead, she accepted that her job sometimes means getting roughed up to protect others.
That willingness to sacrifice her own stat line for the good of the group is what championship cultures are built on. With Clark sidelined, the Fever have needed that kind of leadership more than ever. Cunningham’s offhand smile and understated words communicate far more than anger or frustration ever could. They say, “No matter how badly we get treated, no matter how many calls go against us, I’m here for you.”
The timing couldn’t be more crucial. Indiana sits at 9–9, teetering on the edge of playoff contention. Caitlin Clark’s return—maybe as soon as Wednesday against Golden State—will restore their primary playmaker, but the team’s identity has begun to shift. The willingness of role players like Boston, Mitchell, Howard, and Cunningham to embrace responsibility bodes well for a squad that must learn to win without leaning solely on Clark’s transcendent talent.
The Fever’s next challenge will be navigating the re-entry of Clark and fellow guard Aari McDonald without sacrificing the hard-nosed mentality that Cunningham embodies. And the league must reckon with the officiating inconsistencies that have marred Indiana’s season. If the WNBA hopes to maintain its growth spurt—sparked in no small part by Clark—it has to protect its stars and its enforcers alike.
Cunningham’s six words remind us why team basketball endures: it’s about loyalty, toughness, and the unglamorous work no one sees on the stat sheet. It’s about stepping in when the referees look away, diving for the ball when it’s in your hair, and smiling through it all because you know your teammates have your back.
When Caitlin Clark returns, the Fever will be a stronger unit—because they now have Sophie Cunningham’s promise ringing in their ears: “I stick up for my teammates.” That mantra will guide them from here to the playoffs and, perhaps, all the way to their first championship.
If you’re with Sophie—and with Indiana—comment below “Spicy Sophie.”
