“I’m Way Happier”: Fever Star Sophie Cunningham Does Not Hold Back After Return to Phoenix originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Phoenix Mercury fans gave Sophie Cunningham a warm welcome on Thursday as she made her comeback following her offseason trade to the Indiana Fever. The Mercury acknowledged Cunningham upon her return by showing a tribute video before the game.
The crowd at PHX Arena gave their former player an ovation as they expressed their appreciation for her six years in Phoenix.
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Sophie Cunningham Steps Up, Indiana Fever Falter
Cunningham’s homecoming did not go according to plan for the Fever, though. This is after Indiana suffered an embarrassing 95-60 loss to mark its second defeat in three days.
Cunningham did all she could for the Fever, scoring a team-high 18 points in the blowout. She shot 6-of-9 from the field with five triples, two rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes of action. It’s just a shame that one of Cunningham’s best games in a Fever uniform came during a deflating blowout loss to her former team.
Cunningham’s Honest Reaction to Phoenix Return
Cunningham took the podium after the loss, and the first question she was asked was about her return to Phoenix. The 28-year-old got brutally honest in her response.
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“AZ was good to me, but I’m way happier where I’m at right now,” she said. “It’s good to see people. It was fun to play in front of some fans, but for me, I’m way happier in Indiana.”
Cunningham has nothing against the fans in Phoenix, but she’s made it abundantly clear that life has been better for her now that she’s with the Fever. This is a pretty big statement from the 6-foot-1 forward, considering how she’s only been in Indiana for six months—a far cry from the six years she spent with the Mercury.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10), Caitlin Clark (22) and guard Sophie Cunningham (8) laugh near the team bench.© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


Fever Must Bounce Back
The good news for Cunningham and Co. is that they get an opportunity to avenge Thursday night’s shellacking soon. They finally get to go home after a four-game road trip, and they will host their rivals, the Chicago Sky, on Saturday.
The Sky, who have not had the services of Angel Reese over the past four games, suffered their ninth loss in 10 contests on Thursday. They are one of the worst teams in the WNBA at the moment with an 8-22 record, and the Fever should be considered the favorites to secure a win on Sunday.
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Related: Sophie Cunningham Got Into It With Former Indiana Fever Teammate on Thursday
Related: Concerning Update Emerges on Caitlin Clark’s Injury Recovery
Related: Support Pouring in for Fever Guard After Troubling Injury Update on Thursday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
