The Indiana Fever travelled to Texas on Friday to take on the Dallas Wings, and fans were lining up to see the highly anticipated matchup between Sophie Cunningham and Paige Bueckers. The two guards offer very different styles of play and, in many ways, that’s what made this such a fascinating encounter.
Cunningham never faced Bueckers at the collegiate level, but got a glimpse of the No. 1 overall pick this week. The Indiana Fever guard was impressed by what she saw from the rookie, pointing to Bueckers’ skills and leadership qualities as two aspects that stood out. There was one part of Bueckers’ game in particular that shone with Cunningham labelling it “insane.”
Sophie Cunningham Praises Wings’ Bueckers, Highlights Rookie’s Mid-Range Jumper
There was a reason Bueckers was the consensus first pick going into the 2025 WNBA draft in April. The 23-year-old playmaker can really do it all. She can shoot, dribble, pass, rebound, and at 6-feet tall, is capable of defending a handful of positions.
The hype surrounding the Wings’ rookie has been overwhelming, and the young talent is showing that she can match the lofty expectations that have been placed on her.
The former UConn guard had a big night against the Fever on Friday, recording a team-high 22 points and chipping in with four assists, four rebounds, and two steals. She also shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.
The exceptional display had players and coaches around the league talking, and caught the eye of league veteran Cunningham, who couldn’t help but admire the guard’s gutty performance.
“She’s probably going to get Rookie of the Year,” said Cunningham during the latest episode of her podcast “Show Me Something“. “The way she just gets to her mid-range is just insane. You cut her off, and she just has so much in her bag.”
Bueckers converted seven field goals against the Fever, shooting an impressive 50% from the field (7-of-14). Her ability to separate and create her own shot is a part of her game that sets her apart from the rest of the league.
This season, Bueckers leads the Wings lineup with 18.5 points per game and ranks 11th in the WNBA in field goals made. She is shooting 45.4% from the field and 34.1% from behind the arc.
Cunningham has become one of the league’s most popular players since making the move to the Fever this season. Playing alongside young phenom Caitlin Clark means playing under the spotlight, and Cunningham seems to be thriving with the newfound attention.
The Fever may have got the best of the Wings on this occasion, edging out an 88-78 victory at the American Airlines Center, but we can expect to see plenty more closely contested battles between Cunningham and Bueckers in the coming years.
