Sophie Cunningham's perfect pass made Caitlin Clark's game-winner possible

Sophie Cunningham’s perfect pass made Caitlin Clark’s game-winner possible originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When the highlight is replayed for years to come, most people will focus on Caitlin Clark. That’s understandable.

Clark drilled a 31-foot three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining Monday night to lift the Indiana Fever to a dramatic 78-76 victory over the Washington Mystics. It was the first game-winning basket of her WNBA career and instantly became one of the biggest moments of the season.

But the play never happens without Sophie Cunningham. While Clark’s shot delivered the knockout blow, Cunningham’s inbound pass may have been the most important pass of the night.

Sophie Cunningham delivered under maximum pressure

The Fever had just 4.3 seconds remaining after Sonia Citron’s free throws gave Washington a 76-75 lead. Indiana needed to go nearly the length of the floor and find Clark quickly.

That’s easier said than done when every defender in the building knows exactly who is getting the ball. Cunningham never hesitated.

After a timeout to advance the basketball,  Clark curled off a screen from Aliyah Boston and broke free on the wing, Cunningham lofted a perfect pass over the defense and directly into Clark’s shooting pocket.

There was no need for Clark to gather herself or waste precious time. The ball arrived exactly where it needed to be. Seconds later, the Mystics were stunned.

Caitlin Clark game-winner as seen on phantom 👻🎻🎼 pic.twitter.com/EBXEpHL7pE

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 9, 2026

The box score won’t tell the whole story

Cunningham’s stat line was solid but unspectacular. The veteran guard finished with eight points, two rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes off the bench.

Yet her biggest contribution came on a play that won’t fully show up in the box score. Inbound passes are often overlooked because they seem routine.

This one was anything but. One mistake, one hesitation or one pass slightly off target could have ended Indiana’s chances.

Instead, Cunningham executed perfectly in the biggest moment of the game.

The trust between Cunningham and Clark keeps growing

Since arriving in Indiana, Cunningham has quickly become one of Clark’s most trusted teammates.

Their chemistry has been evident throughout the season, whether in transition, in half-court sets or during critical late-game possessions. Monday’s final play offered another example.

Cunningham immediately recognized where Clark was going, trusted the action developing in front of her and delivered a pass that gave the Fever star an opportunity to win the game.

The execution looked simple. In reality, it required timing, patience and precision.

MORE: Aaliyah Edwards set to get hit with a WNBA penalty, but that’s not the whole story

Sometimes the biggest play isn’t the shot

Clark deserved every bit of the celebration after knocking down the game-winner. She finished with 19 points and gave Indiana a much-needed victory after a frustrating stretch.

But basketball games are rarely decided by one player alone.

On a night when Cunningham scored eight points in 22 minutes, she also produced the pass that made the season’s most memorable Fever moment possible.

Clark supplied the fireworks. Cunningham lit the fuse. Without that perfect inbound pass, one of the biggest shots of the WNBA season never happens.

More WNBA news: