Cunningham was dealt a season-ending blow...
Sophie Cunningham suffered a leg injury during the second quarter of the Indiana Fever's 99-93 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. She was ruled out for the remainder of the game, undergoing an MRI the following day. After further testing, the Fever announced that Cunningham will miss the rest of the 2025 WNBA season after sustaining a right MCL tear.
This leaves Indiana with an even bigger hole at the guard position, now missing Cunningham, Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson for the season. To make matters worse, it is still unclear when Caitlin Clark will be able to return.
Cunningham Breaks Silence on Injury
Following the Fever's injury announcement, Cunningham made her first post, thanking all her fans for the prayers and birthday wishes. The former Phoenix Mercury guard also celebrated her 29th birthday on Saturday, one day before the injury.
"thank you for the birthday wishes and the prayers💕," Cunningham wrote on X.
thank you for the birthday wishes and the prayers💕
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) August 19, 2025
Many WNBA fans quickly took notice of Cunningham's post, wishing her a speedy recovery.
"gonna come back stronger than ever girl ❤️ God got u always," one fan said.
"Rest up and bounce back stronger Sophie🔥🔥🔥🔥," added another.
"thanks for a great season sophie you gave everything! you left us with some iconic moments too. heal up we know you gonna come back stronger," wrote a third.
"Hope to see you bright and early next season Soph! Best of luck on your recovery!" commented a fourth.
"get better soon Sophie! we’ll miss you ❤️," posted a fifth.
"Praying for complete healing!!! You will be back and better than ever!!! I will miss you!!! 🙏❤️🙏," added a sixth.
Looking at Cunningham's First Year with Fever
After spending her first six WNBA seasons with the Mercury, Cunningham was traded to the Fever over the offseason. Through her 30 games played with Indiana, the former Missouri Tigers guard averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game, asserting herself as the team's enforcer.
With Clark sidelined for the last 13 games, Cunningham stepped up and even earned a starting spot in place of Lexie Hull. In August, excluding the game in which she was injured, she averaged 12.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game, a significant improvement from her first three months with the team.
In response to Cunningham being ruled out for the season, the Fever released Kyra Lambert, who was recently signed to a hardship contract. The move cleared the way for another guard, Shey Peddy, who joined the team on Tuesday.
Up next for the Fever is a matchup against the WNBA's top team, the Minnesota Lynx, on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Related: Dallas Wings Suffer Troubling Blow During Paige Bueckers’ Rookie Season
Related: Indiana Fever Make Tough Roster Decision Amid Caitlin Clark Absence
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Category: Basketball
