Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham will not participate in Sunday’s matchup against the Connecticut Sun due to a knee issue, further compounding the injury woes of the Fever team.
The incident occurred in the second period of Indiana’s 99-93 overtime triumph. Connecticut’s Bria Hartley drove towards the hoop, lost balance, and made contact with Cunningham’s leg as she fell.
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Cunningham remained on the ground, clutching her right knee in discomfort as her teammates moved to the other end of the court. She required assistance to leave the court and enter the locker room, concealing her face with a towel.
Following Cunningham’s injury, the Fever rallied to secure a victory. Despite Connecticut holding a lead of up to 21 points, Indiana forced an overtime period after an impressive 32-point fourth quarter. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell recorded 38 points, matching her season high; 34 of those points came in the second half.
Post-game, Cunningham refrained from discussing the injury, but acknowledged Mitchell’s exceptional performance on X.
Lindsey Cunningham, Sophie’s sister, voiced her criticism of the referees regarding the injury on X after the game.
“@WNBA perhaps you should dedicate less effort to fining players for criticizing your inadequate officiating & more towards hiring officials who can consistently officiate games and safeguard your athletes,” she posted, with Sophie Cunningham sharing her sister’s message.
Cunningham has received two fines from the league for expressing dissatisfaction with officiating.
Cunningham’s injury adds to the growing list of injuries for the Fever, who have lost a significant number of their guards. Caitlin Clark has been sidelined for a considerable portion of the season due to a groin issue, while the team’s other two point guards — Aari McDonald and veteran Sydney Colson — both sustained season-ending injuries in a recent game against the Phoenix Mercury. Colson suffered an ACL tear, and McDonald broke a bone in her foot.
Last week, the Fever signed veteran guard Odyssey Sims to a short-term contract to bolster their point guard options. Sims made her initial start for Indiana on Sunday.
