Sophie Cunningham will miss the remainder of the season for the Indiana Fever after the WNBA star went down with a knee injury on Sunday night in Connecticut.
The Fever announced the news on Tuesday, saying Cunningham is expected to make a full recovery. A specific injury was not revealed in the team statement.
The injury took place in the second quarter of Indiana’s overtime win, when Cunningham dropped to the court while clutching her right knee.
She would be helped off the court with a towel over her head as she made her way into the locker room.
Unfortunately for the upstart Fever, Cunningham’s season-ending injury comes as the team is without star point guard Caitlin Clark, who continues to battle a groin issue. Despite this, the 19-16 Fever are in the thick of the playoff hunt under first-year coach Stephanie White.
Cunningham became an important role player for the Fever after coming over from the Phoenix Mercury. She finished the season averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds a game, while making 47 percent from the field and 43 percent behind the arc — both career highs.
MORE TO FOLLOW…
The injury took place in the second quarter of Indiana’s overtime win, when Cunningham dropped to the court while clutching her right knee
Sophie Cunningham’s first season with the Indiana Fever has come to an early end
Cunningham’s sister and mom blasted both the WNBA and the player who was involved in the injury.
Cunningham playing defense in the post when Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley drove baseline. But as she threw an errant pass to the wing, Hartley came down on Cunningham’s leg, leaving the Fever star writhing in pain.
Cunningham’s sister, Lindsey, was furious with the incident and accused the WNBA of failing to protect its players on social media.
‘@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,’ Lindsey wrote. ‘Pathetic.’
The Fever have signed guard Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract to replace Cunningham on the roster.
Indiana will host the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night.
Share or comment on this article:
Sophie Cunningham hit with devastating injury news after getting hurt in Indiana Fever’s last game