Sophie Cunningham sends strong message after Fever’s questionable decision

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Sophie Cunningham sends strong message after Fever’s questionable decision

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jul 13, 2026 7:59 PM ET

Sophie Cunningham had one of her best games of the season for the Indiana Fever on Sunday night. The 6-foot-2 guard went off for 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Thanks in part to Cunningham’s strong performance, the Fever took down the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena in a dominant blowout, 109-75.

Cunningham and the Fever got the opportunity to see their former teammate in action on Sunday. Justine Pissott played in her second game for the Aces after her mid-season move from Indiana.

The Fever selected Pissott as the 25th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. However, she failed to crack head coach Stephanie White’s rotation. Indiana ultimately decided to let her go. The team refused to match the Aces’ contract offer for the former Vanderbilt star, allowing Pissott to take her talents to Vegas.

Indiana Fever forward Justine Pissott (13) poses for a photo during media day.

Indiana Fever: Sophie Cunningham addresses Justine Pissott’s big game

After failing to log any minutes for the Fever during her time with the team, the Aces immediately thrust Pissott into the lineup days after her signing. The rookie rewarded Vegas’ trust with an explosive debut.

Pissott scored 19 points in one quarter on Saturday against the Phoenix Mercury, setting the record for most points in a single quarter in a WNBA debut. This immediately led Fever fans to question the team’s decision to let Pissott leave.

On Sunday, ahead of the Fever-Aces game, Cunningham shared her honest thoughts on her former teammate. The veteran sent a strong message on Pissott.

“I’m so proud of her, man,” Cunningham said. “She can shoot the heck out of the ball, and I think any team is lucky to have her. Anyone that has a stretch four that can shoot, I mean, that’s a huge position in the W. And so I think that she showed her potential of what she can do from the three-point line.

“We spent quite a few months with her. And so we’re just proud to see her be successful and have a team really embrace her.”

Sophie was asked by @chloepeterson67 about Justine Pissott’s performance yesterday

Via @TonyREast YT pic.twitter.com/Zg8V1qC4Nn

— ericaf455 (@ericaf455) July 12, 2026

Pissott cooled down on Sunday against her former team. After her 19-point debut, the 6-foot-4 guard-forward managed just two points and one rebound in 14 minutes against Indiana.

Nevertheless, as Cunningham said, Pissott has proven she belongs in the WNBA. She may no longer be on the Fever, but Cunningham and Co. continue to support Pissott now that she’s moved on.

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This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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