Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham will miss the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season after sustaining a right knee MCL tear in an overtime win against the Connecticut Sun.
The injury – a result of a collision with Bria Hartley – thrust her into a social media war involving her mother, as well as sidelining a vital Fever presence.
Cunningham confirmed she will have surgery on Friday, and recovery will take four months. The Fever will have to do without their key player for the remainder of the season as Cunningham joins Caitlin Clark in the physio room.
Mixed reactions followed the incident. Sophie’s mother took to X (formerly Twitter), calling Hartley “disgruntled” and “plain mean.” Her sister also condemned WNBA officiating for allowing such a collision, but the post was deleted soon after. Amid the fallout, Cunningham took charge of the narrative.
A measured response to a family outburst
When asked about her mother’s reaction on her podcast, Show Me Something, Cunningham responded firmly: “No, Mom! I get it, but I promise you that Bria and I are super cool and she would never try to hurt me.”
She emphasized their friendship and insisted the injury was not intentional. “There was no ill intent. I think it was a basketball play. I was just in the wrong spot at the wrong time.
“She fell… She would never try to hurt me,” Cunningham explained before adding: “I have nothing but love for Bria.”
Cunningham’s measured response is remarkable in a competitive league where physical plays often provoke heated controversy. Rather than surrender to fan speculation or family frustration, she opted for sportsmanship and clarity.
By de-escalating the situation, she sent a powerful message: loyalty and respect can transcend pain and headline drama.
An act of compassion on the basketball court
Despite the severity of the injury – not just a setback but a season-ender – Cunningham is displaying resilience on and off the court. Though surgery is expected soon, she said she’s “in really good spirits,” thankful for the love and support from her teammates and organization.
Meanwhile, the Fever responded swiftly by signing guard Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract to fill the immediate gap.
Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s injured All-Star, also offered a message of solidarity-posting a heartfelt four-word note that underlines the tight-knit bond among teammates during adversity.
Cunningham’s leadership during this challenging time speaks volumes. Rather than adding fuel to public anger, she leaned into understanding-protecting a friendship and preserving harmony.
In a league that regularly examines fault, Cunningham’s defense of Hartley highlighted humanity-and perhaps, reminded us all that belonging sometimes means defending those who may not need defending.
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