The Indiana Fever has struggled recently with back-to-back losses, including a 100-84 defeat to Portland. In response, Sophie Cunningham revealed that the team held a meeting to discuss changes and get back on track, and it was necessary for them.

"We had a long meeting yesterday. It was a really good meeting. So hopefully we've kind of turned the page and everyone is kind of on the same page now," Sophie Cunningham said.

"We literally were in there for almost two hours, and we built back all the layers and so I think everyone's on a good page right now and we're ready to work."

"We'll say started coaches and then ended up being players. So it was much needed, though," she added.

The timing made sense. Despite their recent struggles, the Fever remain in a relatively solid position. They rank seventh in net rating at plus-3.3.

They also have 110.2 points per 100 possessions, ranking fifth in the league. Considering that less than a quarter of the season has been played, things could be much worse.

Still, the pressure has been building. That frustration was evident during the recent sideline exchange between Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White.

Rather than placing all the focus on Clark, however, Cunningham suggested the team can improve in other areas as it looks to move forward.

Why Sophie Cunningham Thinks the Indiana Fever Are Struggling?

To Sophie Cunningham's point, the Fever still have areas they need to improve, especially on defense. And it's especially because, against Portland, Indiana never recovered after allowing 29 points in the first quarter.

Portland expanded their lead with 37 third-quarter points.

The loss to Portland was also one of Indiana's roughest performances in recent weeks. Not a single Fever player scored at least 20 points.

“No one wants to do it, but the good defensive teams, they are the teams that win, and we have the personnel to do it,” Cunningham told reporters.

She also suggested the team needs to become more flexible defensively. “I think that’s something that’s hurting us right now is we’re only playing one defensive scheme, and in this league, it’s too good.”

Adding to the frustration, Caitlin Clark has been inconsistent at times this season. Against Portland, she finished with just 6 points on 1-for-7 shooting. She moreover picked up 5 personal fouls.

Now, with the Atlanta Dream up next, the Fever will look to improve both their defense and communication as they chase their fifth win of the season.

Do you agree with Sophie Cunningham that defense is Indiana's biggest issue right now?

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Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Koushik Biswas