Sophie Cunningham Drops Season-Best Performance Against Former Team, Throws Major Shade at Ex-Coach Mid-Game

Indiana, Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Some games are just games. Others are personal. And for Sophie Cunningham, Thursday night’s WNBA clash against the Phoenix Mercury — her former team — was anything but ordinary.

The Indiana Fever guard delivered her best performance of the 2025 season, scoring a team-high 18 points, showing no signs of mercy as she torched the team that traded her away just weeks ago.

And she didn’t stop there. What caught even more attention than her shooting was her icy, calculated stare and a subtle but savage gesture aimed squarely at her former head coach, Nate Tibbetts.

The Trade That Sparked the Fire

Back in early July, Cunningham was involved in a major three-team deal that shook the WNBA. Here’s what happened:

Sophie Cunningham and the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 draft were sent to Indiana Fever.

Phoenix Mercury received Satou Sabally from the Dallas Wings.

Dallas Wings acquired NaLyssa Smith and Indiana’s No. 8 overall pick in the upcoming draft.

At the time, it seemed like just another strategic trade. But Thursday night showed that for Cunningham, it cut deeper than a simple roster move.

Fans Gave Her Love — But Her Eyes Were Locked on One Person

Returning to the Phoenix Mercury as a visitor was always going to be emotional. Before tipoff, fans inside PHX Arena welcomed their former star with a standing ovation, and the team played a heartwarming tribute video honoring her years of service.

Cunningham smiled, waved, and looked genuinely touched. But make no mistake — there was a storm brewing beneath that smile.

It wasn’t long before it exploded.

The Shot, The Stare, and The Message

Midway through the second half, with Fever trailing by double digits, Cunningham sank a deep three-pointer that sent the Indiana bench into a frenzy — and the Phoenix crowd into stunned silence.

Instead of jogging back on defense, Cunningham took her time.

She turned.

She stared.

And she locked eyes with Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts — the same man who had coached her just last season.

Then, in one of the most cold-blooded moments of the WNBA season, Cunningham tapped her face and ears as she walked backward, never breaking eye contact.

“She wasn’t just saying ‘I hear you,’” a courtside commentator said. “She was saying, ‘You’re going to remember this.’”

Sophie’s Silent Revenge Was Louder Than Words

While the box score will show 18 points, Cunningham’s true impact was in the message she sent. After being traded away, doubted, and essentially replaced, she responded the only way an athlete truly can: on the court, in front of everyone, with no filter.

“She’s not just playing basketball — she’s making a statement,” one WNBA analyst posted on X.

Her stare-down was instantly clipped, edited, and shared across social media platforms, becoming one of the top trending moments of the WNBA week.

A New Star Rises in Indiana

With Caitlin Clark still sidelined due to a lingering groin injury, Cunningham has stepped into the spotlight, becoming a vocal leader and scoring threat for the Fever.

Even though Indiana lost the game, her performance made one thing clear: Sophie Cunningham is not a “throw-in” from a three-team trade — she’s a core piece of this team’s identity.

An Internet Darling, On and Off the Court

Sophie’s rise isn’t limited to her on-court performances.

She’s become a social media phenomenon, frequently making headlines for:

Viral boat trip photos that left fans speechless

Her hilarious, deadpan reactions to the sex toy-throwing scandal

Authentic interviews where she calls things exactly as she sees them

She’s the kind of player fans either love or hate — but never ignore.

Did She Go Too Far? Fans Split Over Her Gesture

Not everyone is praising her mid-game antics.

Some fans and media outlets called it “unprofessional” or “unnecessary”, especially with the Fever losing by double digits at the time.

But others argue that this is exactly the kind of emotion and narrative the WNBA needs — raw, unscripted moments that remind fans that this game isn’t played by robots.

“She didn’t cuss. She didn’t taunt the crowd. She just looked him dead in the eyes and let her game do the talking,” one user posted on Reddit. “That’s art.”

Where Do Things Go From Here?

Indiana Fever continues to fight for playoff positioning, currently holding the fifth-best record in the league. With Clark still recovering and the roster shaken by injuries, Cunningham’s presence has never been more valuable.

And when the playoffs come — or if Indiana ever meets Phoenix again — you can bet the cameras will be glued to Sophie Cunningham.

Final Thoughts: Vengeance, Victory, and the Power of Silence

Sophie Cunningham didn’t need to scream.
She didn’t need to tweet.
She didn’t need to trash-talk.

She let her shot fall. She stared her former coach down. She tapped her face. And she walked away.

That’s how you handle unfinished business — like a professional, with just the right amount of pettiness.