WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham Names the Lakers Star She Resembles After Unfair Luka Doncic Comparison

Luka Doncic ended this week with a 61.98-foot three-pointer, the longest field goal of his career. Sophie Cunningham’s podcast co-host then put the Lakers star’s workload next to hers, and the Fever guard didn’t take it quietly. Her response: look at the paychecks, and at a different Lakers guard.

Hanlen's argument was based on shot volume. "Through his first nine games, he has attempted 221 shots," he said of Doncic. "You, last season in 43 games, attempted 226 shots. So he is five behind you this season."

Hanlen then added a second stat. "Luka has attempted 102 free throws already after nine games," he said, "and last season you attempted 74."

That was when Sophie Cunningham made her case. "I also think you're missing a big one," she said on The No Hesitation Show. "He also makes $50 million a year. I make $700,000 on my WNBA check. You should compare me more to Quentin Grimes."

She finished with a quick stat line of her own. "We average around, you know, eight to 10 points," Cunningham said. "I think that's it. My three-point shooting is actually better than the both of them. And so we're going to compare. Let's compare."

The Lakers star she named is the same player who signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the team this offseason, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Grimes played with Doncic in Dallas, and Doncic was the first person to reach out when his signing became public.

The setup was designed to be funny because Doncic is on a historic scoring run. Through the Lakers' first nine games, he took 221 shots and was leading the league in scoring at 38.6 points per game. Cunningham's 226 attempts came over 43 WNBA games, so the comparison is mostly about the difference between a heavy-usage superstar and a role player.

Her answer points out the biggest differences. Doncic is the focal point of the Lakers' offense and is paid like it, while Sophie Cunningham is a 30-year-old guard who has built a career as a rotation shooter and energy player. Her point about money is accurate, since WNBA salaries are far lower than NBA ones.

The Grimes comparison also makes more sense on the court. Grimes is a defensive-minded guard who plays a complementary role, and his scoring has hovered around single digits and low double digits throughout his career.

Cunningham's own scoring has also been in that range, and she has been known for her three-point shooting and toughness more than for creating her own shot.

The Fever star has been a regular commentator on the NBA on her podcast, including when she laughed at Stephen A. Smith's skepticism about Doncic's Lakers earlier this season.

Doncic has shot more and gotten to the line more than almost anyone in the league. No reasonable fan would think a WNBA role player and an MVP candidate belong in the same category. Cunningham's answer was a reminder of that, delivered with enough humor.

For fans, the takeaway is simple. The comparison between Doncic and Cunningham was unfair by design, and she responded by picking someone closer to her own role.