The Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark dismantled the Dallas Wings’ defense with relative ease on Friday night.
However, for some, the postgame discourse focused more on the blown layups and dropped passes by Sophie Cunningham and the rest of the Indiana supporting cast.
Fever Fans Cry Foul Over Sophie Cunningham’s Missed Layups Hurting Caitlin Clark’s MVP Case
Clark finished the 98-87 victory with 29 points and 10 assists: a stat line that secured her 20th career game with a 20-point, 10-assist threshold, extending a WNBA record.
However, the Fever’s execution in the paint left those watching somewhat frustrated. Clark spent all night throwing players open in transition and threading needles in the half-court.
Cunningham became the primary target for fan ire. The veteran guard logged 20 minutes against Dallas and shot just 2-for-5 from the floor.
Sophie Cunningham wow 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/v3r4Ybd8Wj
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) August 15, 2026
A glaring missed layup by her off a pinpoint transition feed from Clark was easy pickings for some social media criticism. The Fever frontcourt fumbled entry passes or rushed finishes at the rim during the first half and left plenty of easy points on the board early.
Only Tyasha Harris provided flawless relief, draining all five of her three-point attempts.
With 29 points and 10 assists tonight in the Fever’s 98-87 win, Caitlin Clark now has 13 career games with 25 points and 10 assists. That includes seven this season alone, which is more than any other player has in their entire career.
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) August 15, 2026
Clark’s creativity, seemingly in vain, was met with scrutiny, as many felt the Fever superstar’s MVP argument was taking a hit.
“I have watched very little of the WNBA in my lifetime, but there is one fact that I am quite sure of: Caitlin Clark would average 20 assists a game if…Her teammates could make a stinking layup!” an X user remarked.
“Clark should have had 18 assists. How these woman can’t make open layups is wild. I can see one weird miss but there were at least 8. Just awful,” another observer chimed in.
Clark should have had 18 assists. How these woman can’t make open layups is wild. I can see one weird miss but there were at least 8. Just awful.
— PhillyforLife (@PhillyTeslaDad) August 15, 2026
The missed assists caused outrage because the MVP race is a statistical knife fight.
A’ja Wilson continues to score at a historic pace (25.9 points, 9.7 rebounds) for the Las Vegas Aces, while Minnesota Lynx Rookie Olivia Miles has emerged as another strong contender.
“I thought I was watching Angel Reese out here on the court with the embarrassing number of missed layups by the Indiana Fever,” a user posted.
“Caitlin Clark should’ve had at least 15 assists in this game smh,” one handle boldly asserted.
Caitlin Clark should’ve had at least 15 assists in this game smh
— Kelewele Joint 🍟 (@Ankamagyimi___) August 15, 2026
“Clark should have gotten at least 15 assists tonight. Masterful game even with the 3 not hitting,” sports analyst Geoff Schwartz posted.
Nonetheless, the Friday night matchup delivered on its billing. Paige Bueckers matched Clark blow for blow in a classic third-quarter duel, tallying 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
MORE: Fever Troll Paige Bueckers After Caitlin Clark Clips Wings’ Momentum With 29-PT Double-Double
However, Bueckers could not prevent Clark from swinging the matchup in the Fever’s favor, and the Wings have now dropped seven of their last 10 games.
Indiana, meanwhile, is moving in the exact opposite direction. The team has won eight of its last 10 games and holds a half-game lead over the Atlanta Dream for the No. 4 spot.
