Do Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham Have a New Skill Heading Into the Playoffs? This Video Has the Answer
By Staff Writer | September 27, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS — As the Indiana Fever prepare for their first-round playoff series against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, a viral video has fans asking an unexpected question: Do Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham have a new skill heading into the postseason?
The answer, it turns out, is not found on the basketball court—but in an AI-generated clip that has spread rapidly across social media.
The Video That Started the Conversation
A Fever fan page shared an AI-created video featuring both Clark and Cunningham in Indiana uniforms, standing in front of a microphone and lip-syncing to “Hotel Lobby (Unc & Phew)” by Quavo and Takeoff . The post was captioned with a simple but timely message: “Playoff is back.”
The scene was unexpected enough—two of Indiana’s key players placed in a setting far removed from playoff preparation. But Cunningham added her own touch, reposting the creation to her Instagram Stories and tagging Clark .
So, the “new skill” is not a jump shot, a defensive technique, or a leadership quality. It is a lighthearted, AI-driven moment of levity before the intensity of playoff basketball begins.
The Real Skills That Matter
While the viral video provides entertainment, the actual skills Clark and Cunningham bring to the playoffs are far more consequential.
Clark enters the postseason averaging career-best numbers, including 22.7 points per game and 45.1 percent shooting . Against Las Vegas this season, she averaged 16 points and totaled 14 assists in two games, though she missed one matchup with a back injury .
Cunningham, meanwhile, has been a critical perimeter threat off the bench. She totaled 31 points and nine 3-pointers against the Aces during the regular season . Her 42.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc provides essential spacing for Clark and Kelsey Mitchell to operate .
“I love the playoffs,” Cunningham said on her podcast ahead of the series. “I’m a very high IQ player. I love that part of the game—the film breakdown and throwing different things at different teams” .
Context Behind the Matchup
The Fever (28-16) finished the regular season as the No. 6 seed after a disappointing 86-66 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday . Clark managed just two points on 1-for-12 shooting in that game—a season low .
Indiana had to wait until the final hours of the regular season to learn its opponent. Golden State’s win over Los Angeles secured the No. 2 seed for the Warriors, leaving Las Vegas (31-13) as the No. 3 seed and Indiana’s first-round foe .
The Fever did win two of three regular-season meetings against the Aces, both victories coming on the road . That history offers a measure of confidence heading into Game 1 on Sunday.
What Lies Ahead
The best-of-three series begins Sunday at 4 p.m. ET in Las Vegas, with Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday in Indiana . A potential Game 3 would return to Las Vegas on Thursday.
For Clark, the playoffs represent an opportunity to cement her evolution as a player. According to a recent analysis, she has quietly developed into an MVP-level performer, embracing physical play and contact in ways she did not in previous seasons .
“Absorbing contact. Like, I invite that. I like that now. I like playing with contact,” Clark said .
For Cunningham, the postseason is a chance to prove her value as a veteran presence and perimeter specialist. Despite online rumors suggesting she might consider retirement—claims that have since been debunked—she remains a key part of coach Stephanie White’s rotation .
The Bottom Line
So, do Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham have a new skill heading into the playoffs?
If the question refers to the AI video, the answer is simple: it is a digital creation, not a real performance. But if the question refers to what they bring to the court, the answer is more substantial. Clark brings an evolving, more physical game. Cunningham brings shooting, spacing, and playoff experience.
The viral moment may have provided a brief distraction. But when the ball tips off in Las Vegas on Sunday, the only skills that will matter are the ones honed over a 44-game season.
The playoffs are back. And for Clark, Cunningham, and the Fever, the real work begins now.
