In a fiery pre-game press conference on June 2, 2025, Washington Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson stunned basketball fans with a provocative statement ahead of their matchup against the Indiana Fever. With the Fever reeling from a 2-4 record and the absence of star Caitlin Clark due to a quad injury, Johnson boldly predicted that his Mystics would “continue to crush” Indiana, dismissing Fever guard Sophie Cunningham as “not a big deal.” The comments, made at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, sparked immediate backlash, with Cunningham delivering a sharp response that has set the stage for a heated WNBA Commissioner’s Cup clash on June 3.
Johnson, in his first season leading the Mystics (3-4), pointed to his team’s recent 83-77 victory over the Fever on May 28 in Baltimore, where they capitalized on Clark’s absence, outscoring Indiana 48-30 in the paint. “We exposed their weaknesses last week, and we’ll do it again,” Johnson said. “Cunningham’s a role player, not a game-changer. Without Clark, their offense is lost.” His remarks, perceived as dismissive of Cunningham’s contributions, come as the Fever struggle, having lost three straight games, including a narrow 85-83 defeat to the Connecticut Sun on May 30, where Cunningham and Sydney Colson also sustained injuries.
Cunningham, a 29-year-old guard known for her tenacity, fired back on social media, posting on X: “Not a big deal? Watch me. I play for my team, my city, and every fan who believes in us. Step up or sit down, Coach.” The post, liked over 10,000 times within hours, rallied Fever fans and drew support from teammates like Kelsey Mitchell, who commented, “Sophie’s got that fire. Bet on us.” Cunningham, who missed the season’s first two games with an ankle injury but dropped 21 points against the Mystics in a preseason game, is listed as out for June 3 with a knee injury, adding fuel to the drama.
The Fever, down to eight healthy players after injuries to Clark (quad), Cunningham (knee), and Colson (leg, questionable), signed veteran guard Aari McDonald via a hardship exception on June 2 to bolster their roster. Coach Stephanie White, addressing Johnson’s comments, remained diplomatic but firm: “We respect every opponent, but we’re focused on us. Sophie’s a spark plug, and her energy drives us.” White’s challenge is clear: without Clark, the Fever’s offense has plummeted to 87.7 points per 100 possessions, compared to 107.5 with her on the floor.
The Mystics, led by Brittney Sykes’ 21 points and rookie Kiki Iriafen’s 16 in their last meeting, aim to exploit Indiana’s thin backcourt. Johnson’s confidence stems from his team’s defensive intensity, forcing 17 Fever turnovers in their previous win. However, his dismissal of Cunningham, a fan favorite for her hustle, has galvanized Indiana’s supporters, with one X user posting, “Johnson’s gonna regret poking the bear. Sophie’s heart is bigger than his game plan.”
This pre-game war of words adds intrigue to a critical matchup for both teams. The Fever, once seen as championship contenders with additions like Natasha Howard and DeWanna Bonner, face pressure to stabilize without Clark, who may miss games until June 10. Meanwhile, the Mystics, playing their second of four games in Baltimore due to Capital One Arena renovations, look to build momentum. As the basketball world watches, Cunningham’s response—though from the sidelines—signals that the Fever won’t back down, setting the stage for a showdown that’s about pride as much as points.
