The Indiana Fever are officially at a crossroads—and Sophie Cunningham just made sure the world knows it.
After a brutal loss that left fans and players frustrated, Cunningham stepped up to the mic and said what many had been thinking: this team is wasting its potential, and something needs to change—fast.
Her message? “Give Caitlin the ball.”
Cunningham’s comments came after a particularly disappointing stretch for the Fever. Once sitting over .500 and showing promise, the team has now stumbled into a pattern of inconsistency, marked by scoring droughts, flat energy, and a lack of identity on both ends of the court.
“We’re tired of getting punched in the face,” Cunningham said. “It’s time to punch back.”
She wasn’t alone in her frustration. The locker room atmosphere after the most recent loss was a mix of exhaustion and simmering anger. Some players talked about moving on and learning. Others wanted to burn the game tape and forget it ever happened. But one thing was clear—this team is fed up.
At the heart of the problem is the offense, which many, including Cunningham, believe is not built to maximize the once-in-a-generation talent of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. Instead of allowing Clark to control the flow, she’s often relegated to off-ball roles while the system sputters.
“Whatever playbook they’re running, it ain’t working,” said Cunningham. “You don’t draft Caitlin Clark just to have her stand in the corner.”
And she’s right. Clark became a college basketball phenomenon by having the ball in her hands and dictating the pace. The Fever’s current scheme, a read-and-react offense, seems to do neither—react nor adjust—especially when it matters most.
The lack of rhythm is costing them. One quarter they’re flying, the next they can’t buy a bucket. In some stretches, they go eight minutes without a single field goal. “We’ve got too much talent to be shooting 30%,” Cunningham admitted, acknowledging that blame doesn’t rest on one player—but the solution is clear: the offense has to run through Caitlin.
Compounding the issue is the constant change in lineup due to injuries. Players like Clark have been in and out of the roster, forcing the team to shift between entirely different play styles week to week. “When she’s out, we play one way. When she’s in, we play another,” Cunningham explained. “It’s like two different teams.”
But with All-Star weekend on the horizon and the season entering a critical phase, there’s no time left for experimentation. The Fever must find their identity—and fast.
“We don’t have a lot of games left,” said Head Coach Christie Sides. “There needs to be urgency. Desperation. Not panic—but purpose.”
Sides emphasized that the lack of consistency starts with preparation. Until recently, the full roster hadn’t practiced together for weeks. “You can’t build continuity if you’re not even on the floor together,” she said. “It’s not about saying you want it. It’s about putting in the reps.”
Veteran Kelsey Mitchell echoed that sentiment, calling the team’s recent loss “a boat whooping” and saying the group needs to check themselves. “This can’t happen again,” she said. “When things go bad, we can’t separate. We have to stay together.”
Despite the frustration, there’s still hope. The players aren’t giving up. Instead, they’re channeling their emotions into fuel.
“You’re going to see a different fire tomorrow,” Cunningham promised. “We owe it to ourselves, to our fans, and to this city.”
And what a city it is. With the WNBA All-Star weekend coming to Indianapolis, Indiana has become a symbol of what women’s basketball can be—a place where arenas are packed, little girls wear jerseys, and every game feels like an event.
“It’s a blessing to play in front of fans like this,” said Aaliyah Boston, reflecting on her All-Star selection. “You have to stay grateful, even in the hard moments.”
Now, the Fever have a chance to rewrite their story. The tools are there: talent, leadership, support, and yes—Caitlin Clark. But only if the team stops waiting for something to click and starts making it happen.
Because as Sophie Cunningham made clear, the time for patience is over.
“Put your money where your mouth is,” she said. “We’re running out of time.”
And with the season hanging in the balance, one thing’s for sure—these next few games could define everything.
