Short‑Handed Fever Suffer Another Blow as Sophie Cunningham Sustains Season‑Ending Injury

Short‑Handed Fever Suffer Another Blow as Sophie Cunningham Sustains Season‑Ending Injury

 

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever’s backcourt crisis deepened Tuesday when guard Sophie Cunningham was ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season due to a right knee injury. The setback deals a cruel blow to a team already battered by injuries and scrambling to hold its playoff positioning.

Cunningham sustained the injury during Sunday’s overtime win over the Connecticut Sun. A collision in the second quarter left her in visible pain, and team doctors later confirmed she suffered an MCL tear in her right knee. The pessimistic diagnosis all but ensures Cunningham will miss the rest of the campaign, even though she is expected to fully recover in due time.

The loss comes on top of a cascade of injuries to Indiana’s backcourt. Earlier this month, the Fever were already down two seasoned guards—Sydney Colson (ACL tear) and Aari McDonald (broken foot)—who were ruled out for the season. Star guard Caitlin Clark has also been sidelined with a persistent groin injury and has not rejoined the lineup in over a month.

With Cunningham among the few remaining seasoned ball-handlers, her absence further strains Indiana’s rotation. In response, the Fever have signed 36-year-old veteran Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract and waived rookie guard Kyra Lambert.

Cunningham, 29, was acquired from the Phoenix Mercury in February as part of a blockbuster multi-team trade. She’s averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over 30 games (13 starts) this season, quickly establishing herself as a reliable two-way contributor.

The news drew an outpouring of support from teammates and fans. Two-time All-Star Caitlin Clark, despite her own injury, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Love you always Soph.” Meanwhile, Cunningham—who turned 29 one day before the injury—thanked fans on social media “for the birthday wishes and the prayers.”

However, frustration is mounting. Cunningham’s sister took aim at the WNBA’s officiating and player-safety protocols, tweeting: “@WNBA maybe you should focus less on fining players for commenting on your poor officiating & more about hiring officials … to protect your athletes. Pathetic.” The post sparked a wider conversation about the league’s handling of on-court safety.

Despite the injury crisis, the Fever remain in playoff contention with a respectable 19‑16 record. They sit sixth in the standings and must quickly adapt as they prepare for a daunting stretch, including back-to-back games against the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx.

Head coach Stephanie White continues to hope for Clark’s return before the regular season ends—an outcome that could provide a critical boost.

Looking Ahead

Cunningham’s loss forces the Fever to dig deep into their depth and rely on unsung contributors. Yet her leadership—on and off the court—will remain invaluable. As Indiana fights for its playoff berth, the team’s resilience will be tested like never before.