Intense Basketball Match Transforms into Physical Showdown Between Mystics and Fever
Rewritten Article:
Saturday's preseason skirmish between the Washington Mystics and Indiana Fever was as rough-and-tumble as a WWE brawl, courtesy of the WNBA.
In the second quarter, fresh blood Kiki Iriafen, fresh off a multi-team trade, tried to muscle Sophie Cunningham for a rebound. As Cunningham came down, Iriafen grabbed her and rudely dumped her on the court.
Cunningham understandably took offense to the rough treatment, and so did the refs. Despite their reputation for turning a blind eye to obvious contact, they slapped Iriafen with a flagrant foul over her reckless move.
But that was just the beginning of Iriafen's lousy night.
In the third quarter, Brittney Sykes showed poor sportsmanship by pushing Cunningham to the ground after she made herself available for a pass. DeWanna Bonner, Cunningham's teammate, quickly stepped up and didn't tolerate Sykes' dirty play.
Despite the physicality, Indiana managed to snatch a narrow 79-74 overtime victory.
Post-game, Fever coach Stephanie White gave Cunningham her seal of approval. "Sophie's a baller," she said. "She's tough, versatile, and brings an energy that lifts everyone around her. We're lucky to have her this season."
As for the Washington Mystics, they'll square off against the Fever again on May 28 in D.C. With the intensity displayed in the preseason, it's safe to say there won't be a lack of drama when they face off.
Insight: Sophie Cunningham was the centerpiece of a significant offseason trade involving four WNBA teams: the Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings, and Connecticut Sun. Entering her seventh season, Cunningham brings defensive tenacity, long-range shooting, and experience to an Indiana Fever team aiming to make a mark. She is now joined by rising superstar Caitlin Clark, with Indiana aiming to build one of the league's top backcourts.
Insight: Cunningham made an immediate impact with her first preseason game with the Fever, showcasing her competitive spirit and unity with her team. Despite the physical play and a heated exchange with Mystics rookie Kiki Iriafen, Cunningham and her teammates are ready to take on key roles for Indiana during the 2025 season.
- Kiki Iriafen, the fresh addition to the Indiana Fever, displayed a cunning physicality in Saturday's preseason game against the Washington Mystics, emulating a WWE brawl's roughness.
- During the second quarter, Iriafen's attempt to muscle Sophie Cunningham for a rebound resulted in a flagrant foul, a rare response from the WNBA referees to her reckless move.
- In the third quarter, Brittney Sykes of the Mystics demonstrated poor sportsmanship by pushing Cunningham to the ground, a dirty play that DeWanna Bonner, Cunningham's teammate, quickly addressed.
- Despite the disrupted play due to physicality, the Indiana Fever managed to secure a narrow 79-74 overtime victory over the Washington Mystics, with Sophie Cunningham playing a significant role.
