There was a good reason why Sophie Cunningham avoided the Atlanta Dream. Rather, as Atlanta gets ready to play the Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA Finals, the Indiana Fever guard used her podcast to identify the team’s strengths.
Cunningham commended point guard Jordin Canada for setting the tone and highlighted veteran DeWanna Bonner’s leadership. The public recognition was particularly noteworthy as it came after a season that featured a dramatic on-court altercation with Bonner.
The Dream defeated the New York Liberty in the semifinals to secure a spot in the championship series. Despite her own Fever team’s early elimination from the playoffs, Cunningham’s admiration acknowledges the basketball that contributed to that accomplishment.
Cunningham talked about Atlanta’s playoff performance and acknowledged the roster’s experience in an October episode of her No Hesitation podcast with trainer Drew Hanlen. The impact of Bonner’s late-season arrival was highlighted by her.
“But you have to give Atlanta credit too, man,” Cunningham remarked, as reported by The Spun. She maintained that Atlanta was able to concentrate on the important things during the postseason thanks to Bonner’s leadership and experience.
Cunningham emphasized Canada’s impact as well, characterizing the point guard as a player who has the power to control how the team plays. Cunningham concentrated on the traits that enabled Atlanta to go to the Finals rather than focusing the discussion on previous arguments.
In June 2026, Cunningham and Bonner were involved in a much-discussed on-court altercation. After an argument during an Indiana vs. Phoenix game, Cunningham pointed toward Bonner, generating a moment that went viral among basketball fans.
Although the incident became strongly linked to Cunningham’s public persona, it did not characterize every exchange between the players. Professional basketball involves competitive interactions, where physical play, emotion, and close games can result in obvious arguments.
Cunningham’s latest remarks did not reopen the conflict or imply that all of their past issues had been settled. Rather, she focused her judgment on the player’s current role and experience while acknowledging Bonner’s importance to Atlanta.
Late in the 2026 season, Bonner joined the Dream, bringing a seasoned presence to a team getting ready for the postseason. Atlanta now has another player who is accustomed to the demands of a title quest thanks to her experience in high-pressure games.
In particular, Cunningham lauded Bonner’s leadership, implying that her presence had kept the team concentrated. When younger players encounter unfamiliar circumstances during a playoff run, the importance of a veteran might go beyond just scoring points.
The viewpoint has been reinforced by Atlanta’s postseason performance. The Dream advanced without dropping a playoff game in either series after sweeping the Washington Mystics in the opening round and the Liberty 3-0 in the semifinals.
Cunningham also directly endorsed Canada. The Indiana guard referred to her as a “beast” and said that she can play a key role in Atlanta’s strategy, especially when it comes to establishing the tempo and exerting defensive pressure.
Starting on October 17 at Chase Center in San Francisco, Atlanta will play the Golden State Valkyries in a best-of-seven series. Golden State added a historic element to the clash by making it to the Finals in just its second season.
With Reese, Howard, Gray, Canada, and Bonner each contributing unique strengths, the Dream’s journey has been based on a solid team effort. Cunningham’s commendation demonstrated how the team’s scoring and rebounding can be enhanced by leadership and backcourt management.
Cunningham’s commendation serves as a reminder that players are still able to recognize outstanding achievements despite fierce rivalry. She acknowledged Canada’s significance and Bonner’s leadership without reiterating the tension from earlier in the conversation.