They booed when she checked in.

They cheered when she missed a shot.
They laughed when the announcer called her name.

But Sophie Cunningham didn’t flinch. She didn’t fold.
She waited — and then struck.

In what’s now being called one of the most satisfying revenge games of the season, Sophie Cunningham delivered a cold-blooded masterclass against the New York Liberty, silencing thousands of fans who thought they could break her spirit with a few jeers.

And the best part? She loved every second of it.

It All Started With Disrespect

Before the game even tipped off, the energy inside Barclays Center was electric. Liberty fans packed the arena, many with signs and shirts mocking the Indiana Fever and, more specifically, Sophie Cunningham.

Why her?

Sophie has always been a lightning rod in the WNBA. Known for her grit, her edge, and her refuse-to-back-down mentality, she’s the kind of player you hate to play against — but love to have on your side. And for Liberty fans, she’s been a frequent villain, especially after past physical matchups and heated exchanges with New York’s star guards.

Add to that her recent outspoken defense of Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever — and it became clear: to Liberty fans, Sophie was public enemy No.1.

They thought they could rattle her.

They had no idea what they were waking up.

The Revenge Performance

From the moment she stepped on the court, you could feel it — Sophie Cunningham was locked in.

Every drive to the rim was aggressive. Every three-pointer was fired with confidence. Every defensive stop came with a snarl.

Midway through the second quarter, after sinking a deep three from the wing in front of the Liberty bench, Sophie turned to the crowd with a smirk and put a finger to her lips.

“Shhh.”

It was the turning point. The crowd went quiet, and Sophie? She just got hotter.

She finished the game with:

• 22 points
• 6 rebounds
• 3 steals
• Multiple clutch plays in the fourth quarter

  
  

   

   

But the stat sheet didn’t tell the whole story. Her energy, her fire, and her unapologetic attitude ignited the Fever — and rattled the Liberty.

The Staredown That Went Viral

The moment that broke the internet came late in the fourth quarter.

With the Fever up by five and under two minutes to go, Cunningham forced a key turnover, sprinted down the court, and drew a hard foul on a layup attempt. As she stood up, Liberty fans rained boos from the stands.

That’s when she turned, looked dead into the crowd, and shouted:
“Keep booing. I’m still cooking.”

The camera caught every second. The clip hit X (formerly Twitter) within minutes and racked up over 3 million views overnight. Fans flooded the comments with praise:

• “Sophie Cunningham is HER.”
• “This is what competitive basketball looks like. She’s a dog.”
• “New York woke up a beast.”

More Than Just a Game

This wasn’t just about scoring points or winning a game. This was about earning respect — and refusing to be bullied out of it.

Sophie Cunningham has been a loud, proud voice in a league that often punishes players for speaking out. She’s defended Caitlin Clark. She’s challenged refs. She’s called out double standards.

And she’s taken heat for all of it.

But instead of shrinking, she’s showing up stronger — game after game — and letting her game do the talking.

Against one of the league’s top teams, in one of the most hostile arenas, she proved why she belongs. Why her voice matters. And why you never bet against a player with a chip on her shoulder and fire in her heart.

A Message to the League

After the game, when asked about the crowd’s treatment of her, Cunningham didn’t gloat. She just smiled.

“I hear it all,” she said. “The noise, the hate, the boos — I use it.”

Then she paused and added:

“But just know — if you come at me, you better not miss.”

Fans, players, and even media personalities applauded her attitude. Some called for her to be in All-Star conversations. Others said she embodies the exact kind of edge and emotion that can take the WNBA to the next level.

Love her or hate her, one thing is clear: Sophie Cunningham is here to stay.

Final Thoughts

Some players beg for respect. Others demand it.

Sophie Cunningham? She takes it.

On a night where an entire arena tried to rattle her, she walked in, delivered a revenge performance for the ages, and walked out with her head high and the win in hand.

And next time Liberty fans think about booing her?

They’ll remember what happened the last time.

Sophie didn’t just get even — she got SAVAGE.