The Feud Heats Up: LA Sparks fires back at Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham after her controversial remarks. The drama is getting intense!

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Los Angeles Sparks Throw Shade at Fever’s Sophie Cunningham After Controversial WNBA Expansion Comments

The Los Angeles Sparks turned up the heat both on and off the court on Saturday, edging out the Indiana Fever 89-87 in a nail-biting finish. But the real fireworks erupted online after the final buzzer, as the Sparks took a playful jab at Fever guard Sophie Cunningham for her recent remarks about the WNBA’s expansion plans.

Sparks Clap Back on Social Media
Cunningham made headlines last week when she questioned the league’s decision to award future franchises to cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, suggesting that flashier destinations such as Miami or Nashville would be more exciting for players and fans alike.

After sealing their victory, the Sparks wasted no time in responding. Their official X (formerly Twitter) account posted:

“List of cities Indiana has beef with: Detroit, Cleveland, Los Angeles.”

The post, accompanied by the game’s final score, quickly went viral, sparking a flurry of reactions from fans.

Indiana Fever players high-fiving after a basketball game.

“It’s insane how petty the WNBA is,” one fan wrote.

“Ramping up… things are getting spicy,” another commented.

Some, however, felt the post went too far, calling it “unnecessary.”

Cunningham’s Comments Stir Debate
Cunningham’s original comments were candid and unapologetic.

“You want to listen to your players. Where do they want to play? Where are they going to get excited to play and draw fans?” she said. “Miami would have been a great one. Everyone loves Florida. Nashville is an amazing city. Kansas City, amazing opportunity. There’s a huge arena downtown that no one’s using.”

She continued, “It’s a hard situation, but I don’t know how excited people are to go to Detroit or Cleveland.”

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The remarks drew backlash, prompting Cunningham to clarify her stance:

“All I was really getting at was Broadway, the off-court lifestyle, and so I think that is really intriguing. I think Miami’s intriguing. That’s all I was getting at,” she explained. “I would never speak down upon middle-class, blue-collar working people. That’s where I come from. I’m from Missouri.”

On-Court Struggles
Cunningham’s night on the court was as tough as her week off it, as she managed just four points in the Fever’s loss. The 28-year-old has reached double figures only twice this season.

2025 WNBA All-Star Rosters Announced
In other league news, the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game captains have been named: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx. The star-studded roster features Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, and more.

Notably, Caitlin Clark was inactive for Saturday’s game, leaving the Fever without their superstar as they fell just short against the Sparks.

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Bottom Line:

The Sparks’ victory wasn’t just about the score—it was a statement, both on the hardwood and in the social media arena. As the WNBA continues to grow and expand, the passion and personalities of its players are making headlines just as much as their skills. And with spicy rivalries brewing, fans can expect plenty more drama as the season unfolds.