‘Ridiculous,’ ‘Do Better’ — Outrage Erupts Over WNBA Writer’s ‘Poorly Constructed’ Argument On Fever’s Sophie Cunningham Problem

The Indiana Fever may be done with their 2026 campaign, but the debate around the team clearly is not. After Indiana was eliminated by the Las Vegas Aces in a 2-1 first-round series, opinions about what the franchise should change have quickly followed. Now, a recent opinion piece about Sophie Cunningham is drawing strong criticism online.

WNBA World Is Not Happy About a Recent Article Regarding Sophie Cunningham

In a commentary published by The Athletic on October 6, 2026, columnist Candace Buckner argued that the Fever should part ways with Cunningham, describing her as “too turbulent to be paired with Caitlin Clark.”

“Cunningham is too combustible, her takes too turbulent to be paired with Caitlin Clark. On the same team, it’s just too much. Clark, by her presence alone, already can’t get through a season without being thrown into gutter debates that pit White against Black; hate that appears even in the DMs of her own teammates. Cunningham, with only a few words, introduced new divisions,” Buckner wrote in her report.

The writer also noted that Cunningham’s protective role toward Clark, including a viral, prolonged pointing incident aimed at DeWanna Bonner and earlier physical defenses of her teammate, boosted Cunningham’s profile and follower counts.

But she argued it ultimately introduced unnecessary divisions and distractions for a franchise and a league still adjusting to mainstream attention.

“And the same one who had stepped in to defend Clark again this season and had instantly become a meme when she pointed at DeWanna Bonner during a confrontation and held that point for a ridiculous amount of time.”

“The point solidified Cunningham as a protective teammate. The kind of teammate Clark needed, even if Cunningham’s effectiveness on the court didn’t shine on a traditional stat sheet,” Buckner further added in her report.

This season, the Indiana Fever and even the whole Caitlin Clark experience took a backseat to a bench player with big opinions.

So if the Fever ever want to go back to being a basketball team again, then Sophie Cunningham has to go, writes @CandaceDBuckner.
https://t.co/VwaTDGODzl

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 6, 2026

As the report spread across the internet, reactions from the WNBA world soon came in, with several people pushing back against the idea that Cunningham’s defensive mentality should be viewed as a reason to move her.

The first wave of criticism pointed back to the incident Buckner mentioned. In June 2026, during the Fever’s 86-77 home win over the Phoenix Mercury, Clark and Bonner got tangled up late in the fourth quarter after a foul call. Clark was whistled for a personal foul, then received a technical that she said referee Gerda Gatling told her was for “clapping and instigating.”

Cunningham stepped in immediately. She argued with officials that Bonner deserved a technical for her extra physicality. Cunningham then engaged in a silent, finger-pointing stare-down with Bonner that lasted approximately 22 seconds and quickly went viral.

Both players received technicals in the ensuing skirmish. Cunningham later explained on her podcast that she was simply defending the fairness of the calls involving Clark. Influencers argued that protecting a teammate cannot reasonably be grounds for removing a player from a roster, and that the column’s logic simply did not add up.

“This is a very poorly constructed article that is all over the place. Cunningham is an enforcer, and she does her job well to protect Clark. A woman stands up for her teammates against opponents that have intentions to hurt and harm the Fever. I don’t see any of that noted in your article at all. Do better,” said one fan.

Another fan expressed his feeling, saying, “Feels like the author has a grudge TBH.”

This is a very poorly constructed article that is all over the place. Cunningham is an enforcer and she does her job well to protect Clark.

A woman stands up for her team mates against opponents that have intentions to hurt and harm the Fever. I don’t see any of that noted in your article at all.

Do better.

— dolemitedawiz (@NoFilterGames) October 6, 2026

Another X user argued that Cunningham has been especially willing to step up when Clark gets involved in heated situations.

Aliyah Boston has also defended Clark at times, including when she criticized Alyssa Thomas’ fist-to-throat contact as a clear Flagrant 2 that “should have never been done.” However, Boston’s support has generally been more measured, while Cunningham has embraced a much more vocal approach.

“She has to go because…you don’t want her speaking in Indiana? But she can be outspoken anywhere else? Because according to you, the Fever are a serious team – since when? No one stands up for CC. This article is ridiculous,” the X user wrote.

Another fan said, “Nonsense, she had a great shooting season and was a big draw for ticket sales. What a stupid article.”

@TheAthletic @CandaceDBuckner She has to go because…you don’t want her speaking in Indiana? But she can be outspoken anywhere else? Because according to you, the Fever are a serious team – since when? No one stands up for CC. This article is ridiculous.

— REAL Benjamin📚🍺☕️ (@REALBen_cle) October 6, 2026

Another user took a different approach. They laid out why they believe Cunningham remains important to Indiana rather than simply dismissing the article.

“This opinion piece is garbage, and the headline tells you everything you need to know. Cunningham is a perfectly capable backup SG/SF who can fit the Fever or any other WNBA roster. Players don’t get cut because they have opinions — you move on when they no longer fit your system or you’ve found someone better. Turning a routine basketball roster decision into some cheap character indictment is lazy, petty writing. Only someone desperate for attention would produce something this crass,” the user said.

This opinion piece is garbage, and the headline tells you everything you need to know. Cunningham is a perfectly capable backup SG/SF who can fit the Fever or any other WNBA roster. Players don’t get cut because they have opinions—you move on when they no longer fit your system or you’ve found someone better. Turning a routine basketball roster decision into some cheap character indictment is lazy, petty writing. Only someone desperate for attention would produce something this crass.

— Christopher Powell (@ChrisDPowell_) October 6, 2026

For the Fever, the offseason will now bring plenty of questions. But whether Cunningham’s personality represents a problem or an asset could remain one of the more debated topics surrounding Indiana heading into the next season.