Sophie Cunningham has a clear message for anyone tearing down Angel Reese: stop the double talk. The Indiana Fever guard stepped in to defend the Atlanta Dream star after fans and media members ripped into her body language during the 2026 WNBA Finals. Cunningham told listeners on her “No Hesitation” podcast that frustration clips are everywhere in pro sports. “You could probably clip almost everybody in the WNBA, in the NBA, that has clips like this, the frustration clips,” Cunningham said. She argues that high-level competition brings out raw emotion, not bad sportsmanship.
The backlash started after Reese struggled in Game 4. Only eight points were scored by her on 2 of 12 shooting attempts alongside six turnovers committed. Reese owned the poor performance, telling reporters, “I think it was me, I think I rushed a lot on my shots and I didn’t take my time and finish around the basket like I’ve been doing the last three games.” But while Reese blamed her own execution, some fans focused on her demeanor. One person on X wrote that when Reese starts “stomping her feet when she doesn’t get the ball, it makes it hard to root for her.” Another WNBA fan went further, calling Reese an “insufferable child.” Cunningham says this reaction ignores the reality of playing for a championship.
The Local Backlash
The heat wasn’t just online; it hit local TV too. While discussing the popularity of women’s basketball, panelist Phil Kent stated his preference on Fox 5 Atlanta’s The Georgia Gang segment. Kent said, “Go, Sophie Cunningham. That’s my girl, not Angel Reese.” Reese is Atlanta’s hometown star, so the city should be rooting for her, fellow panelists reminded him immediately as they pushed back. Kent did admit Reese was “a good defense player” before conceding on the award debate. One fan wrote, “‘Go Sophie Cunningham’ these people are not real ????????,” while another questioned if Kent’s support had “nothing to do with her talent or basketball.”
The Series Is Tied
The Golden State Valkyries tied the series at 2-2 with a win on Saturday night, per Yahoo Sports. The Dream now faces a tough road back to their home court. Game 5 is scheduled for Monday night with tipoff set for 8 p.m. E.T. If the series goes to a sixth game, it will return to Atlanta. Reese has already said she is ready to move forward. “It happens and I’m just looking forward to the next game and just do it,” she said. Cunningham believes the criticism misses the point of what it takes to win. “That’s what you get when you’re playing at a high level, when you’re a competitor, especially when you’re trying to get a championship,” she added. The Dream need their star to focus on the court, not the noise.
