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Sophie Cunningham Had 1-Word Message For Critics After Commissioner’s Cup

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 9:30 AM ET

Sophie Cunningham has been the subject of a lot of criticism this WNBA season, but that hasn't derailed her mindset on the hardwood.

Last month, Cunningham was labeled a "dirty player" for her flagrant foul on Jacy Sheldon of the Connecticut Sun. Some fans also mocked her lack of production in Indiana. Well, she saved her best performance of the season for the WNBA Commissioner's Cup final.

Cunningham had 13 points off the bench for the Fever, knocking down 3-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc. She gave the offense a much-needed boost in what was a defensive battle against the Minnesota Lynx.

"You've got to have the confidence in yourself and the confidence in your teammates to allow someone else to step up in those moments, and I think that this group is learning that," Fever coach Stephanie White said.

Following the Fever's victory over the Lynx on Tuesday night, Cunningham shared a photo from the team's locker room along with this caption: "yurppppppp."

Cunningham's post certainly seemed like a response to all the criticism she has dealt with this year.

yurppppppp pic.twitter.com/htNdQTYJ3z
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) July 2, 2025

Just a week ago, Cunningham said she was going to do everything in her power to improve Indiana's chemistry in the locker room.

"We are circled on everybody's schedule. No one likes us, right? So everyone in our locker room, that's the only type of people that we have that we can lean on. We have got to stay disciplined, we have to stay focused, we need to get consistent, and we got to lean on each other. And I think we've kind of wavered on that. We have our own islands," Cunningham said. "As one of the leaders of the team, I got to do a better job of grouping people."

Judging by the Fever's performance and postgame celebration on Tuesday, that message was heard loud and clear by Cunningham's teammates.

Next up for the Fever is a showdown with the Las Vegas Ages. They'll square off on Thursday night.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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