Sophie Cunningham makes a strong claim on the Fever's postseason chances

With the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup taking place in Germany, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has some time off from the WNBA. Her mind is still focused on her sport, though. 

Speaking with ESPN's Katie Barnes, Cunningham recently commented on the Fever's chances to make a deep postseason run: 

"I think this team has great potential to make a really great playoff run," Cunningham said, per ESPN. She then referred to some of the off-the-court drama, saying, "If I'm filling my brain and my energy with all that stuff, then it's taking away from the team. And so I'm just trying to stay here and let them do what they want to do."

Sophie Cunningham is focused on helping the Fever make a playoff run, and they're already in

She added, "I'm just focused on the Fever and on our sport. I think we have four more games left. I'm trying to just really dial in and keep the main thing the main thing."

Cunningham is having a strong season with the Fever. She's averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

On Tuesday, she also started a new podcast with co-host Drew Hanlen called "No Hesitation." It's a new version of her previous podcast with West Wilson.

Cunningham's break from the WNBA is almost over. She takes the court on Sept. 18 for the team's next matchup against the Toronto Tempo. The Fever are already in the playoffs, so now it's about refocusing and getting as deep as they can.

As for the playoff picture, the Fever are right in the middle of a tight race to try to get the No. 4 seed in the 2026 WNBA playoffs. Indiana enters the FIBA World Cup break at 26-14, tied with the Atlanta Dream, but Atlanta currently holds the tiebreaker, leaving the Fever in fifth place for now. 

The Fever will have just four games left to make a push when the season resumes, with matchups on the schedule against Toronto, Washington and two versus the tough Minnesota Lynx. Finishing the season in the top four seeds would be a big deal for a playoff-bound Fever team, giving them the home-court advantage in their first matchup.