​Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner tangled during Monday’s game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, a moment that followed Cunningham’s earlier confrontation with Bonner in a previous meeting. The Fever defeated the Mercury 86-77. Last season, Phoenix reached the WNBA Finals but were swept by the Las Vegas Aces, yet this year the Mercury have stumbled to a 7-13 record, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference. Their once-stout defense has regressed, and Cunningham hinted that personnel changes may be a factor.
In the latest episode of the “Show Me Something” podcast, Cunningham reflected on the two recent games against Indiana and the accompanying controversy. She highlighted the on-court clash with Bonner in the viral moment, and recalled that in the next meeting, Alyssa Thomas allegedly shoved Caitlin Clark while the Fever player was on the ground going for a loose ball. The Mercury posted a taunting message about Clark on X, later removing it, while Thomas received a $1,000 fine and a one-game suspension, fueling backlash given continued concerns over rough play targeting Clark.
Cunningham asserted that the sentiment around the Mercury extends beyond fans, noting that insiders within the Mercury organization themselves have described the team as unfriendly, suggesting a broader dissatisfaction with the roster. On the court, Phoenix has been missing Satou Sabally, who left for the Liberty in free agency after an All-Star season. Sabally’s absence has been felt, even as Kahleah Copper has averaged 20.1 points per game this season, her efficiency dipping to 39.5% field goals and 25.4% from three, well below her typical standards.
Phoenix began the season 2-8 but then rallied with two straight wins and has now secured three victories in its last four games. One of those wins came against Indiana on Wednesday, a 111-109 thriller in which Thomas posted 24 points and eight assists.