Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has publicly backed Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham after she spoke out against negative comments about her future with the team.
Cunningham is an unrestricted free agent coming off the 2026 season. She was questioned about whether the Fever should keep her, and some people suggested the team send her on her way, citing her role on the court and the attention she has drawn off it.
Cunningham responds to critics on her podcast
Cunningham addressed the criticism directly and without apology in a new episode of her podcast. “I’m doing nothing but exactly what I told y’all I was going to do,” she said.
She added that she no longer cares about outside opinions and said she would keep being herself because she knows what she brings to the team beyond the box score.
Porter Jr. shows support for his longtime friend
Porter Jr. saw the comments and shared them on his Instagram Stories with a message: “You’re elite Soph.”
The two have known each other for a long time. Both are from Missouri, and they played against each other in their local basketball league while growing up. Cunningham played for the Missouri women’s team from 2015 to 2019, while Porter Jr. was on the men’s team for the 2017-18 season. He has described her as down-to-earth and appreciative of the fans.
Cunningham’s role with the Indiana Fever
Cunningham, a 6-foot-2 forward, averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 43 regular-season games for the Fever in 2023. She shot 41.9% from three-point range, one of the better marks on the team for a player taking that many shots. She was a reserve for most of the season and provided floor spacing and veteran insight on a team that leaned on Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Fever general manager Amber Cox said the team intends to meet with Cunningham. Cox also said any off-court issues had little effect, pointing to Cunningham’s leadership and her influence in the locker room.
It remains undecided whether Cunningham will return to Indiana when free agency opens. Porter Jr.’s public support adds another high-profile voice connected to Cunningham and her friendship from Missouri.
