Cunningham explains her support for Mitchell and Clark
Sophie Cunningham’s comments about Kelsey Mitchell’s MVP case sparked plenty of conversation among Indiana Fever fans. Caitlin Clark’s presence in the discussion added another layer to the reaction.
Cunningham later clarified her remarks and explained what she meant. So, what exactly did she say, and why did her comments attract so much attention?
The comments came during a strong season
Cunningham’s praise came during a season in which Mitchell had become one of Indiana’s leading scorers. Before the September 10 podcast episode, Mitchell had established herself as a major offensive option for the Fever.
The WNBA later highlighted Mitchell’s August production in its MVP discussion. She averaged 28.9 points, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals during August while Indiana went 7-4.
Mitchell set a scoring streak record
Mitchell’s 2026 season included a WNBA record for consecutive 20-point games. She reached at least 20 points in 25 straight games, surpassing the previous mark of 20 consecutive 20-point games held by A’ja Wilson.
The Indiana Fever and WNBA documented the achievement after Mitchell extended the streak. The milestone became part of the statistical context surrounding Cunningham’s comments and Mitchell’s MVP conversation.
Mitchell earned August honors
The WNBA named Mitchell its Eastern Conference Player of the Month for August. She averaged 28.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists during Indiana’s 11-game schedule.
The award was announced on September 1, before Cunningham clarified her earlier remarks. It was Mitchell’s second consecutive Player of the Month honor of the 2026 season and the second Player of the Month award of her career.
Clark was also producing at a high level
Caitlin Clark remained another major offensive contributor for Indiana during the same period. The WNBA lists her 2026 averages at 22.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game.
Those numbers explain why discussions about Indiana’s MVP candidates included Clark as well as Mitchell. Clark’s role also extends beyond scoring, with her 8.4 assists ranking among the league’s leading playmaking figures.
The backlash focused on the comparison
After Cunningham’s Mitchell comments circulated, some Caitlin Clark fans criticized the remarks on social media. Coverage reported that some users questioned whether Cunningham’s support for Mitchell meant choosing Mitchell over Clark.
The online response prompted Cunningham to address the subject again on her podcast. Her clarification specifically referenced having two highly regarded players on the same Fever roster.
Interesting fact: The MVP discussion includes several established stars. The WNBA’s late-season MVP analysis continued to feature A’ja Wilson and Olivia Miles, alongside Mitchell, illustrating how the 2026 race extended beyond the Fever’s two candidates.
Cunningham clarified her position
On September 17, Cunningham said she could make an argument for Mitchell to win MVP and also make a strong argument for Clark. She said she intended to support and promote both teammates.
Cunningham also said the internet had clipped part of her earlier discussion. Her explanation presented the comments as praise for two Indiana players rather than a statement against Clark’s MVP candidacy.
Interesting fact: Mitchell has continued her education while playing professionally. She holds degrees from Ohio State and Cincinnati and was working toward a Ph.D. in educational leadership at Liberty University during the 2026 season.
She described both players as great
Cunningham’s clarification centered on Mitchell and Clark being teammates while both were discussed in the MVP race. She said she planned to hype both players rather than limit her support to one.
The clarification did not replace her earlier praise for Mitchell as her MVP choice. Instead, Cunningham added that she could make a separate case for Clark, providing more context for the online reaction.
Mitchell’s production continued after the break
Mitchell returned from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup break with Indiana and continued producing at a high scoring level. On September 18, she scored 33 points against the Toronto Tempo as the Fever won 103-85.
The WNBA reported that the performance set a league season scoring mark. Mitchell continued contributing as Indiana moved through the final week of the regular season.
Mitchell reached a season scoring milestone
On September 19, the Fever reported that Mitchell had set a WNBA record for total points in a single season. The achievement followed her 33-point performance against Toronto one night earlier.
The milestone added to a season that included her 25-game 20-point scoring streak and August Player of the Month award. These accomplishments are separate from the MVP vote itself, which follows the league’s awards process.
The WNBA included Mitchell in its MVP discussion
The WNBA published an MVP race update on September 17 that included Mitchell among its leading candidates. The league cited her August scoring surge and efficient shooting as important parts of its analysis.
The update noted that Mitchell was averaging 25.0 points per game at that stage. It also identified her as Indiana’s leading scorer while recognizing the broader MVP race.
The Fever’s offense featured both guards
Indiana’s offense in 2026 featured significant contributions from Mitchell and Clark. The WNBA recorded Mitchell at 25.0 points per game and Clark at 22.5 points per game in season statistics available after the World Cup break.
Their statistical roles differ, with Clark providing more assists and Mitchell carrying a higher scoring average. Those numbers help explain why both players appeared in discussions about individual awards.
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The debate remains separate from the official award
Cunningham’s comments and the fan reaction are separate from the official WNBA MVP voting process. Her personal preference on the podcast does not determine the league’s award result.
As the 2026 regular season approaches its conclusion, the WNBA continues publishing MVP analysis and player statistics. Mitchell’s scoring records, August award and recent performances provide documented context for the discussion surrounding Cunningham’s remarks.
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What do you think about Cunningham’s clarification? Like this post and comment with your take on the MVP conversation!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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