Sophie Cunningham has spent much of the season at the center of conversations that extend well beyond the basketball court. On Tuesday, however, the Indiana Fever guard gave fans something much simpler to talk about.
Cunningham came off the bench and delivered an efficient two-way performance in Indiana’s dominant 106-92 win over the New York Liberty. She scored 12 points, knocked down 4 of 5 3-point attempts, and made one of the game’s standout defensive plays.
WNBA Community Reacts as Sophie Cunningham Silences Critics With Lights-Out Shooting
Cunningham lived up to her 3-and-D reputation from the moment she checked into the game. The 6-foot-1 guard missed just one of her five attempts from beyond the arc, helping Indiana maintain control against the Liberty.
Her biggest defensive moment came when she blocked 6-foot-11 Han Xu, preserving Indiana’s 87-67 advantage.
SOPH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jQCQrlUlaY
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 12, 2026
The performance quickly drew reactions from the WNBA community.
“Uh oh. The racists & losers gonna be big mad at Sophie Cunningham’s performance tonight,” CDS Sports Podcast posted.
Uh oh. The racists & losers gonna be big mad at Sophie Cunningham’s performance tonight pic.twitter.com/uyyqgeqJAl
— CDS Sports Podcast (@cdssportspod) August 12, 2026
“AGAIN?!? Again. Sophie for 3 …….. BANG! BANG!! BANG!!! BANG!!!” a Cunningham supporter wrote.
AGAIN?!? Again.
Sophie for 3 …….. BANG! BANG!! BANG!!! BANG!!! pic.twitter.com/o4CxV9gJg3
— Sophie Cunningham FAN CLUB (@SophieC_FanClub) August 12, 2026
“Sophie Cunningham blocks the Great Wall of China and can’t believe it!” a Fever supporter added.
Sophie Cunningham blocks the Great Wall of China and can’t believe it ! 😂 https://t.co/6SzRXXVIFM
— CCFC-New season (@sohali2012) August 12, 2026
“There are times when Sophie Cunningham looks like the best role player in the world! My God,” an X observer noted.
“Sophie Cunningham, who is 6’1”, blocks 6’11” Han Xu. China is never surpassing America,” political and sports commentator Andy Froemel tweeted.
Sophie Cunningham who is 6’1” blocks 6’11” Han Xu. China is never surpassing America. https://t.co/E7PEns0nen
— Andy froemel (@FroemelAndy) August 12, 2026
Cunningham’s shooting numbers have been particularly notable this season.
According to Real App, she “has the highest 3PT% (45.5%) in the entire WNBA this season (minimum 100 3PA).”
The former Phoenix Mercury player has spent roughly three weeks in the headlines because of her stance on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Cunningham was also involved in another controversy Saturday, when she was on the receiving end of a Flagrant 2 foul from Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington.
That incident reignited debate around Cunningham, but Tuesday brought a different kind of spotlight. Against New York, the attention centered on her shooting, defense, and impact on a decisive Fever victory.
For Cunningham, the night offered a timely reminder that the loudest conversations around a player can change quickly. On Tuesday, her 3-pointers and the block did the talking, while her impact helped Indiana secure one of its most convincing wins of the season.
