Indiana Fever v Atlanta Dream ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 20: Sophie Cunningham 8 of the Indiana Fever celebrates a three pointer during a game between Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena on June 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 9405
Indiana Fever v Atlanta Dream ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 20: Sophie Cunningham 8 of the Indiana Fever celebrates a three pointer during a game between Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena on June 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 9405
Sophie Cunningham is never one to miss a moment. After the Indiana Fever's 96-77 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the veteran guard turned a simple fan giveaway into viral gold, then delivered the perfect punchline to go with it.
Following the final home game of the regular season, Cunningham signed mini basketballs and started tossing them into the stands. One throw stood out from the rest. She wound up and launched the ball deep into the second deck, drawing gasps and cheers from the remaining crowd. The Fever's official account captured the moment and posted it with the caption:
"Sophie Cunningham LAUNCHED this ball into the second deck."
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JUNE 27: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham 8 drops back to play defense against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 27, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA JUN 27 Los Angeles Sparks at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26062780
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JUNE 27: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham 8 drops back to play defense against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 27, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA JUN 27 Los Angeles Sparks at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26062780
Cunningham's response came immediately, quoting the team's post.
"Call me Patrick Mahomes from here on out," said Cunningham on X.
The comparison landed perfectly. Mahomes has built his career on no-look passes, off-platform throws, and arm angles that leave defenders and fans alike shaking their heads. Cunningham's heave into the upper deck carried that same "how did she do that?" quality, even with far lower stakes.
The moment carried extra weight given Cunningham's roots. Born and raised in Columbia, Missouri, she grew up in Chiefs country and has long identified with Kansas City sports culture, making the Mahomes reference feel like a natural, easy connection rather than a stretch. She even has a bit of football history of her own, having once filled in as a high school kicker.
For a player who's built her career as a high-energy role player and vocal teammate, the clip fit naturally into who she is.
What’s next for Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham heads into the final stretch of the regular season and the playoffs as a key bench piece for the Indiana Fever, with her recent uptick in minutes offering a potential preview of her postseason role.
In Tuesday’s win over the Minnesota Lynx, Cunningham played 29 minutes and scored 11 points, per ESPN. These were her highest output in weeks and her most extensive action in more than a month. The performance came after a sharp reduction in playing time against the Washington Mystics, when she logged just seven minutes.
The Fever sit fifth in the standings at 28-15 and close the regular season with another meeting against Minnesota on Thursday. Their final seed will determine whether they open the playoffs at home or on the road. Regardless of the matchup, Cunningham’s ability to space the floor, knock down open threes, and bring intensity in limited bursts will be valuable in a series format.
Do you think Cunningham's viral moment will overshadow her actual on-court performance?
Written by
Zaid Quraishi