Fever Suffers 95-60 Loss at Mercury Amid Cunningham Return, Injuries

The Indiana Fever suffered a heavy 95-60 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in a game marked by emotional intensity and physical altercations, including a heated exchange between Fever's Sophie Cunningham and former teammate DeWanna Bonner. Cunningham, who returned to Phoenix for the first time since her trade from the Mercury, was the Fever's top scorer with 18 points despite the team's overall poor performance and mounting injuries to key players like Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald. DeWanna Bonner, who had a brief and challenging stint with the Fever before being waived, played a pivotal role in the Mercury's dominant win, finishing with 23 points and engaging in trash talk with Fever players. Cunningham expressed her happiness with her new team, emphasizing her improved fit and work ethic with the Fever compared to her time in Phoenix. Analyst Rachel A. DeMita suggested that apart from Cunningham, the Fever appeared unprepared for the game, and Cunningham herself shared insights about overcoming self-doubt and adversity in her career. The game underscored the Fever's struggles this season but highlighted Cunningham's resilience and the emotional stakes involved in facing a former team.