If you had any doubts about Sophie Cunninghamโs ability to charm the social media universe, the finger is now pointed straight at you.
Arguably, much of the discussion in the WNBA this week revolves around her Indiana Fever teammate Kaitlyn Clark and arguments with referees over technical fouls and missed calls. But Monday nightโs brawl involving Clark and Phoenixโs DeWanna Bonner had a fun and irreverent side effect: Cunningham once again asserted her place in the spotlight.
Quick recap: In the fourth quarter of the Feverโs 86-77 final win over the Mercury, Clarke and Bonner became confused and exchanged words after the officials blew the whistle that the game was dead. They were quickly separated โ Cunningham was one of the first Fever players to take the court alongside Clarke โ but the emotions did not subside.
Moments later, Bonner and Cunningham became the center of ongoing chatter, with Bonner mouthing choice words at Cunningham and pointing at her. Cunningham maintained eye contact and silently pointed backโฆ and kept pointingโฆ and kept pointingโฆ and kept pointing for about 22 seconds until a seemingly surprised Fever employee redirected her to the bench.
Both players received technical fouls for the exchange, but that wasnโt the point.
The thing is, the internet meme machine has taken over.
I watch the waiter at Chipotle try to shake excess chicken off a serving spoon.
โ Mario (@NerfFries) June 25, 2026
*The garbage truck makes a barely audible sound as it picks up a trash can a few blocks from our house*
To my 2 year old:pic.twitter.com/6YKdK3jdYE
โ Mina Kimes (@minakimes) June 25, 2026
Unsurprisingly, Cunningham completely immersed herself in another phenomenon she created, taking selfies with fans, posing and pointing.
There is some history to consider. Although Bonner was not her teammate in Phoenix โ and much of the Mercury roster has changed โ Cunningham played for the franchise from 2019 to 2024. She and Bonner were also briefly teammates last season for the Fever before Bonner left for the Mercury after nine games and Cunningham criticized Bonnerโs departure.
โItโs OK to be professional about it and text your teammates,โ Cunningham said on her podcast last year.
Of course, Mondayโs game wasnโt the first time Cunningham was involved in a fight involving Clark. In 2025, after Clark was hit in the eye by then-Connecticut Sun guard Jaycee Sheldon during a game, Cunningham later rushed back to effectively head-block Sheldon on a layup attempt, resulting in both players being ejected from the game.
Cunningham also has 1.5 million Instagram followers, co-hosts the โShow Me Somethingโ podcast with Bravo personality West Wilson, appears as a guest analyst on USA Networkโs WNBA broadcasts, has endorsement deals with companies like Adidas, Quest Nutrition and SHARx, and debuted in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue this spring.
In total? This probably wonโt be the last time the spotlight is on her.