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Sophie Cunningham Believes WNBA Break for FIBA 'Hurt' Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has suggested that the WNBA’s midseason pause for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup may have disrupted the team’s playoff momentum. The Fever, who entered the break with a strong 12-4 record—including victories over playoff contenders like the Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, and New York Liberty—struggled to maintain that form after resuming play, going just 2-2 before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs.

Cunningham, reflecting on the season, acknowledged the team’s chemistry and success prior to the break, stating they could have carried that energy further into the postseason if the schedule had remained uninterrupted. Despite the early exit, she emphasized the team’s pride in their regular-season performance, particularly during July and August, when they were at their peak.

The Fever’s season ended with a 94-83 loss to the Aces in Game 3 of their first-round series, capping off a campaign that saw key players like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston also represent Team USA at the World Cup, where the U.S. emerged victorious.

Head coach Stephanie White was part of the U.S. coaching staff as an assistant under Kara Lawson during the tournament.

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