Sophie Cunningham received the news she had been dreading this Tuesday: an MCL injury will sideline her for the remainder of the Indiana Fever’s season. But amid the devastating update, the star guard still took a moment to thank fans for their overwhelming birthday wishes.
The injury, suffered in Sunday’s 99-93 win over the Connecticut Sun, cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration. Cunningham turned 29 on Saturday, August 16, and fans quickly flooded social media with messages of love and encouragement.
The Fever’s official account and Cunningham’s dedicated fan page on X (formerly Twitter) led the tributes, each post earning thousands of likes and hundreds of responses. And although a couple of days late, Cunningham made sure to return the kindness.
Sophie Cunningham’s Message to Fans
“Thank you for the birthday wishes and the prayers,” Cunningham wrote on Twitter, adding a double-heart emoji. The post was warmly received, racking up more than 7,400 likes and nearly 600 replies.
“Sophie Cunningham is the only reason I watch the WNBA,” one fan wrote. “We’re keeping you in our prayers here in Columbia, Mo.,” said another. Her official fan club chimed in: “We LOVE you, Sophie,” while another added, “I’m heartbroken! So sorry to hear about the injury-please know we are praying for you.”
The Worst Timing for Cunningham’s Injury
The news couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Fever. Sitting at 19-16 with just eight games left-including three against the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx-the team must fight to keep their postseason hopes alive.
But the challenge is steep. Injuries to Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald, Sidney Colson, and now Cunningham have left Indiana’s roster dangerously thin at the most crucial point of the season. For now, Sophie’s finding strength in her supporters.
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