Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham, a key backcourt player, will not participate in Sunday’s contest against the Connecticut Sun due to a knee ailment, adding to the list of injuries within the Fever’s ranks.
The incident took place during the second period of Indiana’s hard-fought 99-93 overtime triumph when Connecticut’s Bria Hartley attacked the hoop, lost her balance, and made contact with Cunningham’s lower leg on her descent.
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Cunningham remained on the ground, visibly in distress, clutching her right knee as her teammates moved to the opposite end of the playing surface. Assistance was required to get her off the court and into the locker room, her face covered with a towel.
Cunningham’s setback is the newest to affect the Fever, who have seen many of their guards sidelined due to various injuries. Caitlin Clark has been absent for much of the campaign because of a groin problem, while the team’s other two floor generals — Aari McDonald and seasoned veteran Sydney Colson — both sustained season-ending injuries during a defeat to the Phoenix Mercury earlier in June. Colson suffered an ACL tear, while McDonald sustained a fracture in her foot.
The previous week, the Fever acquired veteran guard Odyssey Sims through an emergency contract to bolster their point guard options. Sims was in the starting lineup for Indiana on Sunday.
Following Cunningham’s departure from the game, the Fever rallied to secure a win. Despite Connecticut holding a lead of up to 21 points, Indiana managed to force overtime after a notable 32-point effort in the fourth quarter. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell concluded the game with 38 points, matching a season best; 34 of these points were scored after the intermission.
