Reasonably alarmed after watching her team’s double-digit fourth quarter lead evolve into a seven-point deficit within the blink of an eye, Sophie Cunningham took to the task of putting the Atlanta Dream’s comeback attempt to bed in the most fitting of ways: with a recurring nightmare. Roughly two minutes removed from ending their run with a 3-pointer from the left corner, the gifted sharpshooter forces them into a déjà vu scenario, this time from one of her go-to spots along the right corner. Given enough space to literally envision the scenario before it occurs, Cunningham prepares herself for a catch-and-shoot, releasing a clutch, spot-on triple before Haley Jones can recover, supplying the Phoenix Mercury with a lead they would never again relinquish. Ultimately prevailing in the back-and-forth affair on May 18, 2024, the Mercury welcomed their home crowd into the new season with a thrill. In leading the second unit, Cunningham proved invaluable with 10 points, six rebounds, two assists, five steals, and a pair of game-changing 3-pointers. · May 19, 2024