When the Fever traded for Sophie Cunningham on Jan. 31, the goal was clear for Indiana: surround Caitlin Clark with efficient shooters, to build a team capable of competing for a WNBA championship.
The 2025 Fever are doing exactly that, even though both Clark and Cunningham are out for the year with injuries. That hasn't stopped the guards from accompanying their healthy teammates for every playoff game -- nor has it stopped Cunningham and Clark from forging a close bond.
MORE: Fever unhappy with referees after Sophie Cunningham says quiet part out loud
During her appearance on The Young Man and the Three, Cunningham described her relationship with Clark as "fun" and likened her to one of her "little cousins" -- who are similar in age and behavior, but certainly not in basketball skill.
"She's just a big kid," Cunningham said. "She is so phenomenal and so elite at her craft, a generational talent. I don't think I have to hype her up anymore."
Cunningham, who suffered a torn right MCL in August, even described Clark as a "dweeb," owing to the second-year guard's penchant for...well, being a bit annoying in an endearing way.
"(She's) probably the biggest dork I've ever met," Cunningham said humorously. "And just somehow, you know how to shoot from far out, and you're really great at passing."
"I don't think I have to hype her up anymore, in fact we need to get her head a little bit down" -- Sophie Cunningham speaks on her relationship with Caitlin Clark 🤣 pic.twitter.com/TkmtOpyZAF
— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) September 23, 2025
In comments that will prove exciting to Fever fans when it is time to start thinking about 2026, Cunningham revealed that Clark's injuries -- including the right groin strain that ended her season -- did not reduce her basketball IQ. Cunningham believes Clark has a number of qualities that can't be taught -- and that portends years of success down the road in Indiana.
"She had kind of an off year of shooting when she was able to play, and I think that's normal," Cunningham said. "But when she was locked in, it was so fun to watch her play. She was four steps ahead of everyone else."
Clark and Cunningham are expected to be on the sideline again when the Fever host the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 of their WNBA semifinals matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night. The series, tied at 1-1, will see semifinal basketball played in Indianapolis for the first time since 2015 -- the last time the Fever reached the WNBA Finals.
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