The Indiana Fever‘s playoff push suffered another potential setback on Sunday when Sophie Cunningham was forced to leave the floor with what appeared to be a significant knee injury during a loss to the Connecticut Sun.
The veteran guard went down midway through the game after colliding with Sun guard Bria Hartley beneath the basket.
Cunningham immediately grabbed her right leg and cried out in pain, prompting trainers and teammates to rush to her side.
She was helped to the locker room and later ruled out for the remainder of the contest with a right knee injury.
The moment stunned Fever fans and teammates alike, particularly given Cunningham‘s importance to the team this season.
She has been a steadying presence on a roster already coping with the extended absence of WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark.
While Clark recovers from a groin injury, Cunningham has shouldered more responsibility, both as a scorer and as a vocal leader.
Just one day earlier, Cunningham had celebrated her 29th birthday. Less than 24 hours later, she was on the court writhing in pain, her season suddenly in doubt at a time when Indiana needs her most.
The injury came in the middle of what had been a chippy matchup. Cunningham had already been assessed a technical foul following an exchange with Leila Lacan.
But her night took a more serious turn when Hartley‘s pass attempt sent both players into contact near the rim. As soon as Hartley clipped her leg, Cunningham collapsed and could not get up without assistance.
Backlash and support after Cunningham’s injury
The reaction outside of the locker room was immediate. Cunningham‘s sister, Lindsey, who also played with her at Missouri, blasted the league on social media for its officiating.
“@WNBA maybe you should focus less on fining players for commenting on your poor officiating & more about hiring officials that are able to call a consistent game and protect your athletes. Pathetic. Praying for you. @sophaller,” she wrote on X.
For Cunningham, this season has marked something of a career renaissance. After six years with the Phoenix Mercury where she often played in supporting roles, her move to Indiana offered an opportunity to become central again, not only to the team’s on-court production but also to its identity.
Now, both Clark and Cunningham are sidelined, leaving Indiana with mounting uncertainty in the most critical stretch of the year.
The Fever are locked in a tight battle for one of the last postseason spots, with every game down the stretch carrying major implications. Without Cunningham, their depth will be tested once again, and the energy she brings on both ends of the floor will be difficult to replicate.
Head coach Stephanie White has preached patience with injured players, emphasizing long-term health over short-term gains. But the reality is stark: Indiana’s playoff hopes may hinge on how quickly Cunningham and Clark can return to action.
For now, the Fever will have to regroup and hope the injury is not as serious as it looked. Cunningham‘s absence would not only hurt Indiana’s postseason chances but also rob the WNBA of one of its most compelling stories this year, a veteran finding new purpose alongside the league’s brightest new star.
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