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See the full story · 3 sourcesSophie Cunningham emerges as serious contender for major WNBA award amid strong Fever season originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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Sophie Cunningham’s move to the Indiana Fever bench has unlocked the best version of the veteran guard, placing her firmly in the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year conversation.
After opening the 2026 WNBA season in the starting lineup, Cunningham shifted to a reserve role as head coach Stephanie White searched for the right balance. The move could have been viewed as a demotion. Instead, it has allowed Cunningham to become one of the league’s most productive and dependable bench players.
According to a recent ESPN awards report , Cunningham is a top contender for WNBA Sixth Player of the Year.
Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun currently appears to be the favorite, but Cunningham’s combination of shooting, defense and toughness has kept her squarely in the race.
Sophie Cunningham gives Fever a needed spark off bench
Cunningham is averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Those numbers may not jump off the page, but they only begin to explain her value to a Fever team with championship expectations.
Her biggest offensive contribution has come from behind the 3-point line. Cunningham is shooting 45.2 percent from deep, the second-best percentage in the WNBA behind Minnesota Lynx guard Antonia Delaere.
Cunningham has made 52 3-pointers this season, trailing only Salaun among reserve players. Her floor-spacing has been especially important because Indiana’s offense already runs through Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.
Defenses cannot afford to leave Cunningham unattended when Clark attacks off the dribble or Boston draws attention inside. Cunningham’s ability to punish those decisions has helped Indiana build the highest-scoring offense in the league.
“Cunningham has been a perfect complement off the bench for the No. 1 scoring team in the league,” ESPN’s Kareem Copeland wrote.
Her willingness to accept the reserve role has also given White more flexibility. Cunningham can enter the game as an immediate scoring threat without taking touches away from Indiana’s primary options in the starting lineup.
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Cunningham’s impact extends beyond her shooting
Cunningham’s Sixth Player of the Year case is not solely built on offense. The 29-year-old brings a physical edge that regularly changes the tone of games. She challenges opposing guards, competes through screens and refuses to back down when matchups become heated. That approach can occasionally put her in the middle of tense moments, but it also gives the Fever an emotional lift.
Copeland noted that Cunningham’s physicality “constantly irritates opponents.” For Indiana, that is part of the appeal.
Salaun remains a formidable obstacle in the award race. The Valkyries forward is averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists for one of the WNBA’s best teams. Her higher scoring average could ultimately give her the advantage when voters make their selections. Cunningham still has time to close that gap. An increase in her scoring production over the final stretch would strengthen her argument, particularly if Indiana continues piling up victories.
Even if Cunningham does not win Sixth Player of the Year, her season has already validated White’s lineup adjustment. Cunningham has found a role that maximizes her shooting, toughness and personality while helping Indiana chase much larger goals.
For a team loaded with recognizable stars, one of the Fever’s most important players may be the one waiting to check in at the scorer’s table.
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