The Indiana Fever are back in action on Saturday in a home game against the Atlanta Dream. This will be their second game in three days. After Saturday's matchup, the Fever play another three games in four days.

Before this stretch, Indiana took the court nine times in the span of 19 days, so to say that this side has faced and will continue to face a demanding schedule would be an understatement at this point.

One could argue that fatigue played a key role in the Fever's deflating 80-61 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday. Despite the return of Caitlin Clark from a five-game injury absence, Indiana shot just 30.9% from the floor, which represents this team's worst shooting performance since 2019.

Fever veteran Sophie Cunningham, however, is not making excuses. The 6-foot-1 guard conceded that the team is feeling a little bit exhausted at this point in the season, but she also made it clear that this is all just part of life in the WNBA.

"I think it's just making sure our energy is where it needs to be," Cunningham said. "It's making sure our focus is where it needs to be.

"I think we're all a little bit exhausted, but everyone is. We have a lot of games this season. That's part of being a pro. And what a blessing that we get to dribble in orange basketball for a living.

"And so sometimes it's taking a step back and having a better perspective and being grateful for it."

Cunningham has opted to highlight the silver lining of her team's brutal stretch. The 28-year-old has been around long enough to appreciate the grind and everything that comes with it.

Her veteran presence is one of the reasons why the Fever brought Cunningham in over the winter as an offseason recruit, and it is this unrelenting mindset that she will need to help instill in her teammates as they continue to battle through adversity this season.