Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has publicly dismissed critics who question the impact of her teammate Caitlin Clark on the WNBA. During an appearance on the podcast ‘Show Me Something,’ Cunningham criticized those who claim Clark is not the face of the league, calling them ‘literally dumb.’ She argued that Clark’s star power has influenced the competitive landscape of the WNBA, leading to heightened scrutiny and challenges from rival teams during her rookie season with the Phoenix Mercury.
Cunningham recalled the intense treatment Clark faced from opponents, including comments within the Mercury locker room about showing her ‘what the W really is.’ She emphasized that while every rookie faces challenges, Clark’s second season has shown that the scrutiny extends beyond that. This is not the first time Cunningham has stood by Clark’s side; she had previously intervened during an on-court altercation between Clark and Sun players Jacy Sheldon and Marina Mabrey.
Clark herself has addressed concerns about the physicality she faces on the court, stating that it is an inherent part of professional basketball. In 2024, she noted that opponents often get away with actions that might not be directed at others. Despite this, Clark has been voted as the ninth-best guard by her fellow WN, though she has only played in 13 games this season due to injuries. Her performance remains notable, with an average of 16.5 points per game, slightly below her previous average.