Ahead of the 2026 WNBA season, Sophie Cunningham revealed how she is progressing from the ACL injury she suffered during a game against the Connecticut Sun, an incident that abruptly ended her season earlier than expected. It was back in August when her path on the league’s courts came to a sudden halt, forcing her to begin the full recovery process, one that ultimately required surgery to ensure she could return at full strength.
Before the injury, Sophie played 30 games with the Fever, averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest. She also posted a 46.9% field-goal percentage and an impressive 43.2% efficiency from three-point range, the latter marking the best long-distance shooting performance of her career.
Sophie Cunningham’s recovery process
During this offseason, the Fever guard has continued her rehabilitation work between Indiana and Missouri, all while taking part in the various community and social activities she regularly participates in. On Thursday, November 13, during her podcast Show me Something, she told her listeners that her recovery was progressing extremely well and that she felt stronger every day.
I’m running. Right now, I’m just trying to get stronger. I’m just trying to get my legs, and like my back and my core stronger. But I’m doing really well.
She also shared how she was advancing in comparison to the recovery timeline that had been laid out for her, noting with satisfaction that she was significantly ahead of schedule.
By Thanksgiving, I need to be sprinting, just in a straight line and backpedaling in a straight line, which I’m already pretty much doing that, so I’m ahead of schedule, which is good.
And then after that, I can – and I’m already doing this, too – but like introduction to jumping and then cutting. And so by the first of the year, the goal is to be able to do an on-court, non-contact workout. So I’m ahead of schedule and I’m doing really well.
With her recovery trending positively, Cunningham is expected to be ready for the beginning of the upcoming season, ideally remaining with the Indiana Fever. Although she is currently a free agent and has expressed her desire to continue playing alongside Caitlin Clark, she hopes to secure a multiyear contract that will offer her improved financial stability and a clearer long-term future.
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