Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was injured Sunday during a game against the Connecticut Sun, creating a major setback for a team already struggling with multiple injuries, as reported by Breitbart.
The incident occurred beneath the basket when Sun guard Bria Hartley collided with Cunningham’s knee. Cunningham immediately collapsed, crying out in pain before being helped to the locker room by medical staff. She did not return to the game.
Head coach Stephanie White described her initial reaction to the injury. “Holy crap,” White said. “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.’”
Scary scene: Sophie Cunningham down and grabbing her right knee.
She will not return. pic.twitter.com/iy5qEWQhAB
— TMSPN.com (@sportsgossip) August 17, 2025
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The Fever managed to hold off the Sun with a 99-93 victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive. They currently sit in seventh place in league standings. Cunningham is scheduled for an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.
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Cunningham has become a key leader for the Fever during Caitlin Clark’s absence. Clark has been sidelined for the past month with a quad injury that may keep her out for the remainder of the season.
In addition, Indiana already lost Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson to season-ending injuries on July 30.
As Yahoo Sports reported, following Sunday’s injury, Cunningham’s sister Lindsey took to social media to criticize the WNBA for failing to protect players.
“@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 @sophaller,” Lindsey 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 .@sophaller ❤️
— Lindsey Cunningham (@Lbreezzyy) August 17, 2025
Sophie’s mother, Paula, also weighed in on the incident before deleting her post, where she described Hartley as a “disgruntled player” who “plays mean and is always out of control.”
Hartley has faced disciplinary issues throughout the season, leading the league with three flagrant fouls. Last month, she committed a dangerous flagrant foul against Gabby Williams and was ejected from a separate game after an altercation with the Chicago Sky.
In June, she was involved in a scuffle with Angel Reese after pulling her hair during play.
Despite the collision with Cunningham, officials did not call a foul on Hartley during the game, sparking debate among fans and commentators about whether the play should be reviewed.
Cunningham has herself been outspoken about officiating. She was recently fined $1,500 after criticizing officiating on her podcast and another $500 for remarks made on TikTok.

The Fever have not yet provided an official update on Cunningham’s status beyond confirming the MRI appointment.
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