"People want us to hate each other" - Sophie Cunningham floats wild team up possibility with Paige Bueckers while admiring Wings guard's skills

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has praised Paige Bueckers' skillset while quashing rumors of bad blood between her and the Dallas Wings rookie.

In the second episode of "Show Me Something" released on Tuesday, Cunningham said this is the first season she has played against Bueckers. Cunningham also listed the attributes that made the former UConn Husky special.

"I don't have a relationship with her off the court at all, but I just like love her vibe and her energy," Cunningham said (Timestamp: 03:05). "I just think that she is a good freaking human and she's a great basketball player. She's just a great teammate and a phenomenal leader and I'm all for that."

Cunningham also said that Bueckers is a lock for this season's Rookie of the Year award. She praised her offensive skills, highlighting that the 23-year-old rookie is fun to play against.

Cunningham also discussed a play in their recent game, which resulted in certain narratives being created on social media.

"The internet and everyone's like, 'Oh, Paige isn't messing with Sophie. She doesn't like her,'" Cunningham said (Timestamp: 5:33). "I was like, 'Dude, we were literally laughing and talking to each other.' And I was like, 'People just want us to hate each other so bad.' ... I'm like, 'It's not like that.'

"But, she's a hell of a player (and) she plays the right way. I would love to play with her at some point in my career, for sure."

Bueckers is averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game on 45.4% shooting in 23 games.

Sophie Cunningham's Fever won the first three meetings against the Wings: a 94-86 victory on June 27, a 102-83 win on July 13 and an 88-78 victory on Friday. The teams' final meeting this season will be on Aug. 12 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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Sophie Cunningham says she was fined over her comments in her first podcast episode

Sophie Cunningham revealed on the second episode of "Show Me Something" that she was fined for her remarks about the referees on the previous episode released on July 30.

"The WNBA fined me," Cunningham said (Timestamp: 29:28). "Dude, they fined me $1,500. I was like, 'What? This is just the beginning.'"

Cunningham explained how she learned about the fine and defended her comments.

"What happens is they email our GM and she pulls me aside... and she just smiled and goes 'Hey, they’re gonna fine you again,'" Cunningham added. "I was like, 'I even told them I credited them that their job was hard.' I did say that, and I said that I would not be good at it... Like, look at the whole picture. What are we doing?"

The WNBA also fined Cunningham $500 in late July over a TikTok video criticizing the league's officiating.