Sophie Cunningham clears air on Stephanie White, DiJonai Carrington controversy

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Sophie Cunningham wants Indiana Fever fans to know there is no problem between her and head coach Stephanie White. Cunningham directly addressed the controversy surrounding White’s response to a hard foul committed against her by Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington. The Fever veteran defended her coach, praised Carrington and said the criticism surrounding the situation has come from outside Indiana’s locker room.

White faced significant backlash after explaining that she did not see Carrington’s foul in real time. Some fans believed the Fever coach should have offered a stronger defense of Cunningham, leading to an uncomfortable scene before Indiana’s 106-92 victory over the New York Liberty on Tuesday.

White was booed by members of the home crowd during pregame introductions. Cunningham, however, insisted that the reaction did not reflect how Fever players view their coach.

Sophie Cunningham defends Stephanie White

Cunningham explained after Tuesday’s victory that White did not intend to dismiss the play or her player’s concerns. According to Cunningham, the coach simply had not seen the foul when she initially addressed it.

“Our locker room in there, it’s tight, and we have each other’s backs,” Cunningham said. “Coach loves us. She didn’t see the clip.”

Cunningham also offered a respectful assessment of Carrington, one of the WNBA’s most physical perimeter defenders.

“And you know what, DiJonai is a hell of a player,” Cunningham said. “She’s a great defender, and [White] coached her for I don’t know how many years up [with the Connecticut Sun], so give her her flowers. And she didn’t see it, and that’s okay.”

White coached Carrington during their time together with the Sun, giving the Fever coach a close understanding of what the veteran guard can provide defensively.

That previous relationship contributed to some of the criticism directed at White. Cunningham’s comments, though, suggest the Fever players do not believe their coach was taking Carrington’s side or failing to support them.

Cunningham says Fever controversy is “outside noise”

Cunningham made her stance even clearer while addressing her relationship with White.

“Me and Steph are great,” Cunningham said. “Steph is great with all of us, and so it’s really the outside noise that’s trying to distract us. But we’re good.”

Those comments should help quiet speculation about possible tension within Indiana’s locker room. Cunningham’s decision to publicly defend White also carries significance because she was the player directly involved in the incident. The Fever guard did not minimize Carrington’s foul, but she refused to allow the situation to grow into a larger controversy involving her coach.

Indiana responded to the distraction with one of its most balanced offensive performances of the season. Five Fever players reached double figures in the win over New York. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 28 points, while Caitlin Clark recorded 22 points, 10 assists and four rebounds. Aliyah Boston added 19 points, Monique Billings scored 14 and Cunningham finished with 12.

Cunningham was particularly effective from the perimeter, making four of her five 3-point attempts. She also contributed two rebounds and one blocked shot.

MORE: Caitlin Clark leaves fans stunned with ridiculous shot over 6-foot-11 Liberty center

Fever continue climbing WNBA standings

Indiana’s victory improved its record to 21-12 and strengthened its hold on fourth place in the WNBA standings.  The result was especially encouraging because it came against a talented Liberty team and amid a week filled with conversation about White, Cunningham and Carrington. Rather than allowing the controversy to affect their play, the Fever delivered an efficient and convincing offensive performance.

Cunningham’s defense of White also supported her larger message about Indiana’s chemistry. The Fever have developed into one of the league’s strongest teams, and their success has been built around a deep rotation rather than one individual player. Clark and Mitchell headline the backcourt, Boston remains a major presence inside and Cunningham provides shooting, physicality and energy. Billings’ 14-point performance against New York offered another example of the contributions Indiana can receive throughout its roster.

The Fever have 11 regular-season games remaining. Their next test comes Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.

Indiana will enter that matchup focused on strengthening its playoff position. As far as Cunningham is concerned, the controversy surrounding White and Carrington will not interfere with that mission.

The outside conversation may continue, but Cunningham left no uncertainty about the situation inside the Fever locker room.

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