The Indiana Fever went 3-0 last week, capping off the run with an overtime win against a potential first-round playoff opponent in the Atlanta Dream. Caitlin Clark dominated in the game, scoring 26 points and adding nine assists in the 95-91 victory. However, as has been the case lately, a lot of attention was paid to reserve guard Sophie Cunningham on Sunday, despite her only scoring three points in the game and going 0-for-2 from the three-point line.

Cunningham sparked intense debate across the country earlier this summer with her comments on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports in an ESPN profile on her.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she said in the feature. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

Since the comments, conservative pundits and outlets have championed Cunningham, and she’s found a new wave of fans, as evidenced by multiple rallies being held in support of her outside of Fever games. Fox News has also embraced Cunningham and made sure to give her a birthday post on Sunday, but some fans are questioning the way Cunningham was referred to.

Happy Birthday to WNBA superstar Sophie Cunningham! 🎉🏀 pic.twitter.com/hjIaKTqee2

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 16, 2026

It wasn’t lost on fans on social media that Cunningham is averaging 8.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists this year, hardly “superstar” numbers.

“This is equivalent to calling Tony Snell an NBA superstar,” one fan posted on X.

“She’s no superstar. Normal people walking on the street wouldn’t even recognize (her),” someone else added.

“She’s literally one of the worst players in the league but go off I guess,” another fan added.

Cunningham definitely hasn’t done enough to earn the “superstar” label, but she’s definitely been a solid piece for Indiana this season, as she’s had a career year from the three-point line. It’s a shame that the conversation surrounding her has been warped to the point where objective analysis feels impossible.