Story by
Rodney Knuppel
Thu, July 23, 2026 at 12:37 AM UTC·3 min read
Sophie Cunningham shares special moment with Brittney Griner before Fever-Sun game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred
Former Phoenix Mercury teammates Sophie Cunningham and Brittney Griner reunited ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun
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Some relationships in the WNBA are bigger than the uniform. Sophie Cunningham and Brittney Griner found themselves on opposite sides Wednesday night when the Indiana Fever hosted the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Before the game began, however, the former Phoenix Mercury teammates made time for a warm reunion
USA Sports and USA Network shared a video on Instagram showing Cunningham and Griner embracing and exchanging a few words on the court
“Sophie 🤝 BG,” the post read. “Former teammates Sophie Cunningham and Brittney Griner before tonight’s match.”
It was a brief moment, but one that carried plenty of history
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Sophie Cunningham and Brittney Griner reunite in Indianapolis
Cunningham began her WNBA career with Phoenix after the Mercury selected her with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2019 draft. She spent six seasons with the organization and became a fan favorite because of her energy, perimeter shooting and willingness to bring a physical edge
Griner was already one of the faces of the franchise when Cunningham arrived. The two helped Phoenix reach the 2021 WNBA Finals, where the Mercury eventually fell to the Chicago Sky
Their time together ended during a dramatic 2025 offseason. Griner left Phoenix and joined the Atlanta Dream, while Cunningham landed with Indiana as part of the blockbuster four-team trade headlined by Satou Sabally
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Both players have since moved into new chapters. Cunningham is in her second season with a Fever team hoping to contend for a championship, while Griner is now providing experience and interior size for Connecticut
Wednesday’s reunion showed that changing teams did not erase the connection they built in Phoenix
The wholesome exchange also presented a different side of Cunningham. The Fever guard has developed a reputation as one of the WNBA’s fiercest competitors, but she was all smiles while greeting her former teammate
MORE: Angel Reese shows plenty of skin in daring outfit before declaring herself ‘queen of UNO’
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Former teammates become opponents in Fever-Sun matchup
Once the game began, Cunningham and Griner had business to handle. Indiana entered the final game before the WNBA All-Star break with a 16-10 record and a place near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The Fever had also won consecutive games, including an impressive 108-88 victory over the New York Liberty
Connecticut arrived in Indianapolis at 7-19, although the Sun had played better basketball in recent weeks. The teams were already familiar with each other. Indiana earned an 85-75 victory in Connecticut on June 13, and Cunningham helped finish that game in memorable fashion. She scored the Fever’s final 11 points, including three late 3-pointers, to shut down the Sun’s comeback attempt
Cunningham has become an important part of Indiana’s identity. Her value extends beyond her scoring average because she can space the floor, defend multiple positions and provide an emotional spark alongside Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. Griner, meanwhile, remains one of the most recognizable centers in league history and a difficult matchup around the basket
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There was no shortage of competitive motivation Wednesday night. Still, Cunningham and Griner made it clear before tipoff that former teammates can share a meaningful moment before becoming opponents again
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