The Indiana Fever's season of adversity took another turn on Sunday, August 17, 2025, when guard Sophie Cunningham suffered a right knee injury during their game against the Connecticut Sun. The injury occurred in the second quarter when Sun guard Bria Hartley, while driving to the basket, lost her balance and collided with Cunningham. Cunningham immediately went down, clutching her knee in obvious pain.
The Fever's medical staff quickly attended to Cunningham, and she was helped off the court to the locker room. The team later announced that she would not return to the game.
After the game, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White spoke to the media about Cunningham's injury. When asked about her initial reaction to seeing Cunningham go down, White responded with "Holy s***". She elaborated, "Especially the way that she fell, and how she was holding herself, and how much pain she was in. At the time, it's like, 'Crap'. And then you go down there, you see her, and it's, okay, just want her to calm down and be able to regroup". White then shifted her focus to problem-solving, stating, "How do we put ourselves in a position to win? What do we need to do? I think that's how I survive".
The extent of Cunningham's injury is not yet known, and she is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday. The team and fans are understandably concerned, as Cunningham's initial reaction and the way she was holding her knee suggest the injury could be serious.
This injury is a significant blow to the Fever, who are already dealing with a series of injuries to key players. Star rookie Caitlin Clark has been sidelined since July 15 with a groin injury. Additionally, guards Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson have been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injuries sustained in a July 30 game against Phoenix.
With Cunningham's injury, the Fever's roster is further depleted, adding more pressure on the remaining players. Before the game, Coach White expressed uncertainty about Clark's return, saying "that's the hope" when asked if she would be back by the end of the regular season.
Sophie Cunningham's sister, Lindsey Cunningham, criticized the WNBA on social media, calling for better player protection. In a post on X, she wrote, "WNBA maybe you should focus less on fining players for commenting on your poor officiating & more about hiring officials that are able to call a consistent game and protect your athletes. Pathetic. Praying for you Sophie".
Despite the adversity, the Fever managed to pull off a remarkable comeback victory against the Sun. Overcoming a 19-point halftime deficit and a 21-point deficit at one point in the game, they rallied in the fourth quarter and ultimately won in overtime. Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with a career-high 38 points, including 10 in overtime.
The Fever's resilience in the face of Cunningham's injury and other setbacks demonstrates their determination to compete. However, the team and its fans are anxiously awaiting updates on Cunningham's condition and hoping for a positive prognosis.
