Sophie Cunningham Calls Out the Fever’s Collapse Against the Mystics: Is the Coaching to Blame?

The Indiana Fever were poised to take a critical victory over the struggling Washington Mystics, holding a double-digit lead at halftime. But as the second half unfolded, the game unraveled. A 22-7 run by Washington completely shifted the momentum, and the Fever couldn’t recover, losing 88-84. With this loss, the Fever dropped to seventh in the standings, a significant blow to their playoff hopes.

In the wake of the game, Sophie Cunningham didn’t mince words. She expressed frustration over how slow the team had been, particularly defensively, and how those issues bled into the offense. “We were just kind of slow, and every time we’re slow, especially defensively, it just somehow affects our offense,” Cunningham said. Her blunt assessment cut to the heart of the issue—the Fever’s inability to execute and control the tempo when it mattered most.

The loss wasn’t due to a lack of effort. In fact, players like Aaliyah Boston (20 points, 9 rebounds), Kelsey Mitchell (14 points, 9 assists), and Cunningham herself (8 points, 6 assists, 3 steals) all played with grit and intensity. Yet, despite strong individual performances, the Fever couldn’t finish the game. The glaring issue wasn’t the players—it was the coaching decisions, particularly how the team handled late-game situations.

The Coaching Breakdown: Where Did It Go Wrong?

What makes this loss even more painful is the fact that it was within Indiana’s grasp. They were in control up until late in the second quarter, but then the wheels started to fall off. Washington’s rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Wright, capitalized on Indiana’s mistakes, with Citron putting up 21 points and Wright dominating the paint. The Fever committed 21 fouls, giving Washington 26 free throw attempts, with 14 of those coming in the fourth quarter alone. This gave the Mystics the opportunity to claw back into the game.

As the Mystics surged, the Fever’s offense stalled. Far too often, the team relied on Kelsey Mitchell to create something out of nothing. While Mitchell is more than capable of shouldering the offensive load, the predictable nature of these isolation plays allowed Washington’s defense to crowd her and force contested shots. This is where the coaching decisions come into play.

Cunningham highlighted the team’s stagnant offense, stating that the players were “standing” and not moving without the ball. She pointed out that the Fever needed to get back to playing aggressive basketball, specifically with off-ball movement and quick transitions. Cunningham’s honesty was in sharp contrast to coach Stephanie White’s explanations, which focused on the fouls, missed rotations, and turnovers. While White acknowledged the mistakes, she also placed the blame on injuries and the roster adjustments caused by Caitlyn Clark’s absence.

But was that the full story?

The Khloe Bby Decision: A Missed Opportunity

One of the most baffling coaching decisions came with Khloe Bby’s complete absence from the game. Bby, who’s been hitting 42% from beyond the arc this season, was sidelined for the entire contest, despite the Fever’s offense struggling to space the floor. Coach White explained that Bby’s defensive matchups weren’t favorable, especially when it came to rebounding responsibilities. However, that reasoning fell flat when considering the game’s outcome. Indiana’s offense stagnated, and Washington’s defense became more suffocating as the game progressed. A shooter like Bby could have stretched the defense, providing much-needed spacing for Mitchell, Cunningham, and Boston.

White’s decision to keep Bby on the bench during a crucial game when perimeter shooting was so desperately needed has raised eyebrows. With the Mystics surging, the Fever needed a spark, and Bby’s shooting could have been the answer. Yet, White chose to rely on an increasingly predictable offense, resulting in Mitchell being asked to do too much.

Effort vs. Strategy: What Fans Are Saying

The disparity between the players’ commitment and the coach’s strategy was evident to everyone watching. Cunningham’s direct and urgent call for accountability—”we have to get back to being dogs”—was a stark contrast to White’s more measured explanations. Cunningham wasn’t trying to deflect blame. She acknowledged that the team had faced numerous challenges but emphasized the need to get back to their roots: aggressive defense and movement on offense.

Meanwhile, White stuck to the narrative of injuries, fouls, and rotations. While those factors played a role, the game’s outcome was less about what they couldn’t control and more about what they could have adjusted in real-time. The lack of tactical adjustments, especially when Washington started to chip away at the lead, was glaring. When the team needed direction, it seemed like the coaching staff couldn’t provide a solid counter-strategy.

The Fallout: What Happens Next for the Fever?

As the Fever slide into a tight playoff race, these late-game collapses are becoming more than just frustrating—they’re becoming a serious concern. The team’s effort and fight are undeniable, but without clear direction and timely adjustments from the coaching staff, those efforts will continue to go unrewarded.

Cunningham, Mitchell, and Boston may be giving their all, but it’s clear they need more than just individual performances to close out games. They need a coaching staff that can identify the issues in the moment and make the necessary adjustments. Whether it’s better rotations, using shooters like Bby, or finding a way to get the offense back on track when it stalls, the Fever cannot afford to let opportunities slip away, especially against teams at the bottom of the standings.

Fans are growing impatient. The frustration is palpable as they watch their team fight tooth and nail only to fall short due to lackluster coaching decisions. As the Fever try to hold on to their playoff spot, the pressure is on both the players and coaches to step up.

So, the big question remains: Is it the coaching that’s holding the Fever back, or is the roster simply stretched too thin? Should White be replaced, or should she be backed as the team continues to navigate injuries and lineup changes? The answer to these questions will determine how the Fever respond in the coming weeks. One thing is for sure—every misstep counts now, and the Fever’s window to fix their issues is closing fast.