The Indiana Fever opened their season with a heartbreaking 107-104 loss to the Dallas Wings, but it wasn't just the final score that had head coach Stephanie White reflecting on missed opportunities. In a candid post-game assessment, White admitted the team failed to properly utilize sharpshooter Sophie Cunningham—a mistake that proved costly in a game where every possession mattered.
"I thought she was good. Sophie's solid for us on the defensive end, rebounding, her activity level, or communication. We got to find her more, though," White said, acknowledging the disconnect. "She is a knock-down three-point shooter, and I think we missed her a lot. We miss her open looks."
The numbers tell the story: Cunningham logged 26 minutes but managed just three points on only two shot attempts. For a player known for her elite spacing, toughness, and quick-release shooting, that's a glaring underutilization. White was clear that this wasn't about Cunningham's performance—it was about the Fever's failure to create opportunities for her.
Cunningham, still working her way back into full rhythm after a long recovery, brought the energy and communication the team needed on defense. But on offense, Indiana simply didn't reward that effort with enough involvement. White noted that Cunningham's value extends beyond just standing on the perimeter—her cutting, movement, and passing are key parts of her game.
"She's getting back into being an elite cutter because she's also a very good cutter, and she's a great ball mover," White explained. "So, we just got to get her more touches on the offensive ends and continue to rely on her to be the communicator and be the leader on the floor."
The good news? This is a fixable issue. The Fever's offense already showed it can put up points, scoring 104 in the opener. Now it's about integrating a proven weapon like Cunningham more effectively. For a team with championship aspirations, finding ways to maximize every player's strengths—especially a knockdown shooter like Cunningham—could be the difference between a close loss and a statement win.