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The Indiana Fever are taking a new approach to the 2026 WNBA playoffs: under the spotlight.<\/strong><\/p>\n With what figures to be a difficult first-round series against defending champs Las Vegas Aces, it\u2019s the rumors circulating over the team\u2019s depth chart and player relations within the social media ether, rather than inside the Fever locker room, that has brought the chatter.<\/p>\n Fresh online speculation claimed veteran guard Sophie Cunningham was considering retirement after a difficult regular-season finale against the Minnesota Lynx.<\/p>\n These viral rumors-including a made-up farewell quote from teammate Caitlin Clark and a falsely silenced video clip-have since been exposed as false. Cunningham is still a key member of head coach Stephanie White\u2019s playoff rotation.<\/p>\n Cunningham\u2019s unbelievable streak of 20-game double-doubles, unfortunately, began in the final game of Indiana\u2019s regular season, when she scored none in 16 minutes of Indiana\u2019s 20-point loss at Minnesota.<\/p>\n But the circumstances surrounding the numbers tell a very different tale of her season late down the stretch:<\/p>\n With a week remaining in the regular season, Cunningham scored 11 points against Minnesota to reach the 2,000-point mark for his career while making 3-of-6 shots from the field and going a +17 in his plus\/minus.<\/p>\n Cunningham\u2019s average of 22.2 minutes per game during the regular season proved to be much needed perimeter depth, as she shot 42.7 percent from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n Clark and Cunningham are completely locked in on the first round so any planted stories about distraction off the court can be dismissed.<\/p>\n Indiana\u2019s Keys to Beating the Las Vegas Aces<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, in the middle, they will have to do it without Breanna Stewart, who remains out with a foot injury, forcing Indiana to rely on a few other players on the roster to make things work.<\/p>\n The game plan against Vegas revolves around consistency from the team\u2019s statistical leaders.<\/p>\n Cunningham\u2019s spacing and versatility on defense \u2013 switching onto multiple positions on any given defensive set \u2013 makes her an X-factor for Indiana.<\/p>\n Her ability to create space on the floor provides vital separation for Clark to operate as a ball-handler and Mitchell to attack off the dribble. Indiana will be challenged at all times on the defensive end this postseason.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n