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The heat was revealed from a notch while the fever of Indiana and the mystics of Washington clashed in the first pre-season match of the year on Saturday.
At one point, Cunningham went up for a defensive rebound on the recruit of Kiki Iriafen Mystics. The guardian of the veterans was thrown on the ground and set out to the former USC star. The Lexie Hull fever goalkeeper had to intervene between the two players.
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Washington Mystics Emily Engstler (21), Indiana Fever Sophie Cunningham (8) and Washington Mystic Sonia Sonia Lemon (22) fight for a loose ball on Saturday May 3, 2025, during a pre-season match between Indiana fever and Washington mystics in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Grace Smith / Indystar / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
The guardian of the mystics Morgan Jones put his arm around Iriafen while the 6 feet 3 inches turned his back from Cunningham and smiles. Iriafen was struck by a blatant fault 1.
It was not the only incident during the match.
Cunningham was also owned by Brittney Sykes as she was trying to make herself available for a Dewanna Bonner collar. Sykes pushed Cunningham on the ground and encountered the intensity of Bonner.
Caitlin Clark dealing with the problem of the legs before the pre-season of the WNBA
The fever of Indiana Lexie Hull (10) goes to the fever of Indiana Sophie Cunningham (8) on Saturday May 3, 2025, during a pre-season match between Indiana fever and Washington mystics in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Grace Smith / Indystar / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
“Sophie is a DAWG,” said head coach Stephanie White, via Indy Star. “She is competing. It is versatile. It allows us to do different things. She plays with such tenacity. She is huge and she will be for us all season.
“What she brings, from the point of view of energy, she increases everyone’s level of play around her as soon as she walks on the ground, hell, even on the sidelines. I mean, her communication, everything, she is definitely an X factor.”
Indiana won the 79-74 match in overtime.
The Made Mystics had one of the worst WNBA records last season, but clearly indicated in pre-season that they were not going to be pushed by a team.
Deputy coach of Indiana Fever, Austin Kelly, and head coach of Indiana Fever, Stephanie White, celebrate on Saturday May 3, 2025, during a pre-season match between Indiana fever and Washington mystics in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Grace Smith / Indystar / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
The Washington season begins on May 16 against Atlanta’s dream.
The Indiana season begins on May 17 against Chicago’s sky.
