In a heartbreaking blow for the Indiana Fever, guard Sophie Cunningham’s 2025 WNBA season has come to an abrupt end due to a torn MCL in her right knee, sustained during an overtime victory against the Connecticut Sun on August 17. The injury occurred early in the second quarter when Sun guard Bria Hartley collided with Cunningham’s stationary knee, causing her to collapse in pain. Teammates shielded her from the crowd as she was helped off the court, and an MRI confirmed the devastating diagnosis.
Cunningham, 28, had been a vital spark for the Fever, averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds while stepping up as an enforcer, notably defending teammate Caitlin Clark. Her positive spirit shone through post-injury, as she shared an upbeat Instagram post, earning support from teammates like Kelsey Mitchell, who called the injury “fuel” for the team’s resilience. The Fever, already plagued by injuries to Clark, Aari McDonald, and Sydney Colson, signed Shey Peddy to a hardship contract to bolster their roster. Fans and analysts alike await Cunningham’s recovery, expected to be full by next season, as the Fever push for the playoffs
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