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The WNBA returned to action this weekend with the start of the 2025 preseason. Saturday's lone game featured the Indiana Fever hosting the Washington Mystics.
Washington jumped out to a fast 24-13 lead, but Indiana closed the gap and trailed just 38-35 at halftime.
After a 19-13 third-quarter run, Indiana took a three-point lead heading into the final period. The Mystics and Fever ultimately went to overtime, where Indiana outscored Washington 8-3 to secure a 79-74 victory.
The Fever were without second-year star guard Caitlin Clark, which gave Sophie Cunningham an opportunity to step into a leadership role, and she delivered. Cunningham came off the bench to score a game-high 21 points.
Following the win, she shared a message with fans: "I know a lot of people pay a lot of money to come and watch us play, and so we want them to have fun."
This is Cunningham’s first season with the Fever. She was acquired in a four-team trade on Jan. 31 that also involved the Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun. A native of Columbia, Missouri, Cunningham played her college basketball at the University of Missouri.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
She was selected in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft and has steadily built her career. Last season, she played in all 40 regular-season games for the Mercury, averaging 8.4 points per game. Her best statistical season came in 2022, when she averaged 12.6 points and started 20 games.
Lexie Hull also had a strong performance off the bench for Indiana, finishing with 13 points. Kelsey Mitchell and Natasha Howard rounded out the Fever's double-digit scorers.
For Washington, Brittney Sykes led the way with 18 points. Sonia Citron and Stefanie Dolson added 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Fever are back in action Sunday, when they host the Brazil National Team in a special exhibition game in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Washington jumped out to a fast 24-13 lead, but Indiana closed the gap and trailed just 38-35 at halftime.
After a 19-13 third-quarter run, Indiana took a three-point lead heading into the final period. The Mystics and Fever ultimately went to overtime, where Indiana outscored Washington 8-3 to secure a 79-74 victory.
The Fever were without second-year star guard Caitlin Clark, which gave Sophie Cunningham an opportunity to step into a leadership role, and she delivered. Cunningham came off the bench to score a game-high 21 points.
Following the win, she shared a message with fans: "I know a lot of people pay a lot of money to come and watch us play, and so we want them to have fun."
This is Cunningham’s first season with the Fever. She was acquired in a four-team trade on Jan. 31 that also involved the Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun. A native of Columbia, Missouri, Cunningham played her college basketball at the University of Missouri.
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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
She was selected in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft and has steadily built her career. Last season, she played in all 40 regular-season games for the Mercury, averaging 8.4 points per game. Her best statistical season came in 2022, when she averaged 12.6 points and started 20 games.
Lexie Hull also had a strong performance off the bench for Indiana, finishing with 13 points. Kelsey Mitchell and Natasha Howard rounded out the Fever's double-digit scorers.
For Washington, Brittney Sykes led the way with 18 points. Sonia Citron and Stefanie Dolson added 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Fever are back in action Sunday, when they host the Brazil National Team in a special exhibition game in Iowa City, Iowa.
Related: Fans Notice Paige Bueckers Being Treated Differently Than Caitlin Clark During WNBA Debut
Related: Paige Bueckers Had Words After Blowout Defeat in WNBA Debut
Related: Paige Bueckers Had Words After Blowout Defeat in WNBA Debut
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