The rivalry between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury has been one of the highlights of the current WNBA season. Although the last clash on Thursday, July 9, 2026, proved to be more controlled in terms of fouls, the dispute between the teams maintained its characteristic intensity.
However, the cordiality on the court did not prevent Mercury fans from engaging in provocations. After Fever point guard Sophie Cunningham was called for an offensive foul, the opposing fans pointed at her in unison, in a clearly coordinated gesture.
This attitude from the crowd was a direct reference to an earlier viral moment when Cunningham took aim at Mercury star DeWanna Bonner. The incident, which occurred during a tense game during the season, generated an image that spread quickly and which the athlete had to publicly address several times.
Thus, with Fever’s narrow victory over Mercury at their opponents’ home, Cunningham took the opportunity to respond to the provocation. As the players gathered on the court after the three-point triumph, she pointed to the crowd, indicating that she had noticed the fans’ efforts during the match.
Before joining the Indiana Fever squad, Sophie Cunningham played for the Phoenix Mercury for her first six seasons in the WNBA. This shared background adds an extra layer of context to the interaction between the player and the local fans.
Despite the absence of Caitlin Clark, who was out with a back problem and was on a recovery schedule for back-to-back games, the Fever achieved a hard-fought victory. Kelsey Mitchell was the team’s highlight with 29 points, while Cunningham contributed nine points in the match.
With this result, the Fever reached the mark of 13 wins and 9 losses in the season, consolidating its position in the fight for a place in the league playoffs.
