Following a 100-91 loss to the LA Sparks on Tuesday, Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever found a positive moment by celebrating backup guard Sydney Colson’s birthday on Wednesday during their scrimmage. Cunningham, teammates, the coaching staff, and a surprise guest all came together to honor Colson’s special day, lifting the team’s spirits despite recent difficulties.
The team shared clips of the festive gathering on their official Instagram account, which led to Cunningham reflecting on her teammate’s impact and bond with the squad. Former WNBA player Theresa Plaisance also expressed admiration for Colson’s unique character upon seeing the celebration.
“Truly one of a kind. Truly.”
—Theresa Plaisance
Veteran Sydney Colson Joins Indiana Fever After Championship Success with Las Vegas Aces
Sydney Colson came to Indiana on a one-year, $90,000 contract after playing a key role in securing two championships with the Las Vegas Aces over three seasons. The experienced guard’s move reunited her with Caitlin Clark and came alongside a trade that brought Sophie Cunningham from the Phoenix Mercury to the Fever.
Cunningham left the Mercury after six seasons to join a Fever roster aiming to build on its prior playoff appearance. Despite being new to the team, Cunningham and Colson have quickly forged a strong connection, routinely sharing playful exchanges on social media—a reflection of their growing camaraderie both on and off the court.
During the recent celebration, Cunningham spoke openly about her respect and appreciation for Colson’s presence in Indiana.
Upcoming Match Against Phoenix Demands Strong Performances from Cunningham and Colson
The loss to the Sparks ended Indiana’s five-game winning streak and deepened their struggles against LA, a team they have yet to defeat in three tries this season. Although Cunningham showed flashes of her shooting ability, going 3-for-7 overall and 2-for-4 from three-point range, she admitted her energy and hustle were not at their usual level in that game.
Colson’s performance was less impactful, contributing just one assist in 13 minutes while going 0-for-3 from the field. The Sparks outscored Indiana by 17 points during her time on the court, indicating room for improvement from the veteran guard.
As the Fever conclude their four-game Western road trip with a Thursday game against the Phoenix Mercury, Cunningham and Colson are expected to step up alongside key players Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. Their efforts will be crucial in helping the team bounce back and build momentum for the remainder of the season.