The Fever can't hear the noise. Plus: Your Cathy Engelbert feedback

The Athletic’s women’s basketball newsletter focuses on how the Indiana Fever are navigating the outside noise surrounding the team. It highlights Sophie Cunningham’s 30th birthday on Sunday and a pregame ritual where the backcourt had to take their final shot after her birthday wish, which led to Kelsey Mitchell making a corner three. The piece argues the “circus” can be heavy, but that results suggest the Fever are still focused: they opened the week 23-12, were fourth in the standings, and rallied from 10 points down on the road against the Minnesota Dream to win in overtime. It also notes discussion tied to coach Stephanie White’s comments and Caitlin Clark’s unrelated media moment, plus Diana Taurasi’s number retiring on Feb. 25, 2025.