Sophie Cunningham’s Viral Pointing Gesture and Its Widespread Impact

Sophie Cunningham, a prominent player from the Indiana Fever, made headlines when her pointing gesture towards DeWanna Bonner of the Phoenix Mercury during a heated game moment went viral. This gesture turned into a meme that circulated widely online, even catching the attention of the White House’s social media.

On the same day, the influence of the viral pointing gesture extended to the wrestling world. Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, and Charlotte Flair emulated Cunningham’s style during a six-woman tag team match on ‘Friday Night SmackDown.’ Green later commented on X, noting the crossover between WWE and WNBA with the gesture.

Cunningham expressed her viewpoint on the meme’s widespread reach, including recognition from the White House. ‘I think everyone around the world is posting it,’ Cunningham told reporters. ‘Every company has done it. So I don’t really think twice about it. I just think they’re another group posting about it.’

Reflecting on the incident during her podcast, Cunningham described the technical foul she received for her pointing action against the Mercury as unwarranted. ‘The weakest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,’ she stated, emphasizing that she was merely pointing without uttering a word during an intense exchange with Bonner.

The game between the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury, held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 22, 2026, concluded with the Fever’s victory, 86-77.