Sophie Cunningham stared across the court at DeWanna Bonner, her former Fever teammate now in Mercury orange. The tension was obvious before either player said a word. What happened next during Thursday night’s blowout turned a forgettable loss into must-see drama that had nothing to do with the 95-60Â scoreline.
How Did Sophie Cunningham and DeWanna Bonner’s Feud Explode Mid-Game?
When the Fever was trailing 68-46 in the third quarter, emotions finally boiled over between the former teammates. Bonner, now wearing Mercury colors, aggressively swiped the ball from Cunningham immediately after an inbound pass. The Fever guard responded by fouling Bonner hard, triggering an official review that would reveal just how heated things had become.
While the referees huddled to examine the play, Cunningham started jawing at both Bonner and Mercury star Satou Sabally. The confrontation escalated quickly enough that Damiris Dantas had to physically step between players, holding Cunningham back as the verbal exchange continued. The officials ultimately assessed Cunningham a clear-path foul, handing the Mercury two free throws plus possession.
Things getting chippy out there after this Sophie/Bonner play👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/DUHse0nO1c
— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) August 8, 2025
The moment highlighted the complicated relationship between two players whose time as Fever teammates lasted barely a month. Both Cunningham and Bonner joined Indiana as offseason signings, but their partnership ended abruptly after just nine games together when Bonner took a sudden leave of absence.
What Sparked the Bad Blood Between These Former Teammates?
Neither player has directly addressed Thursday’s on-court confrontation, but Cunningham’s recent podcast comments suggest the tension runs deeper than basketball. Speaking on her “Show Me Something” podcast just days before the game, she offered pointed criticism of how Bonner handled her departure from Indiana.
“I’m still rooting for her… but I also think it’s okay to be professional about it and send a text to your teammates… like ‘sorry this didn’t work out, good luck.’ There’s a way to handle that.”
Those words now read like a preview of Thursday’s fireworks. The six-time All-Star Bonner had abruptly left the Fever organization and was later waived before returning to the Mercury, where she spent the first 11 years of her WNBA career.
If this clash was personal, Bonner got the last laugh where it counted most. She torched the Fever for a game-high 23 points on 7-for-16 shooting, knocking down two three-pointers while setting the tone for Phoenix’s dominant performance. Cunningham fought back with 18 points of her own, connecting on 5-of-8 attempts from beyond the arc, but the Fever were overwhelmed across the board as the Mercury’s offense proved relentless.
The defeat marked Indiana’s second consecutive loss, a harsh reality check after their impressive five-game winning streak had fans dreaming of playoff momentum. For Phoenix, the victory served as both a statement win and perhaps the opening chapter of a brewing rivalry between Bonner and Cunningham.
The Fever is now facing a critical stretch with the playoffs approaching rapidly. They’ll get their chance to bounce back with consecutive home games against the Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings, two teams currently struggling at the bottom of the league standings. Whether Thursday’s drama motivates or distracts Indiana could determine how their 2024-25 season ends.
