On Sunday, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham left the Fever's rousing comeback win over the Connecticut Sun after only 10 minutes, clutching her right knee following a collision with Sun guard Bria Hartley.
The nature of the incident and Cunningham's pained look in the aftermath sparked immediate fears that the sharpshooting guard had suffered a serious injury, something Indiana knows all too well this season. She was scheduled for an MRI on Monday, and on Tuesday afternoon, the Fever confirmed fans' worst fears: a right MCL tear that ends her 2025 season.
"The Indiana Fever announced today that guard Sophie Cunningham will miss the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season after suffering an injury during the team’s game at the Connecticut Sun on Sunday afternoon," the team announced.
"Cunningham sustained a season-ending injury in her right knee during the second quarter of the game and is expected to make a full recovery."
MORE: Fever awaits Sophie Cunningham MRI results as Indiana slides in new power ranking
In response to Cunningham's injury, Indiana has signed veteran guard Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract. Peddy could feature in the Fever's next game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday against the WNBA-best Minnesota Lynx.
Sophie Cunningham will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an injury during our game at Connecticut on Sunday.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 19, 2025
in a corresponding move, we have signed guard Shey Peddy to a 7-day hardship contract and released Kyra Lambert.
more info: https://t.co/pazNkkdbG3 pic.twitter.com/vZUNcQc2Dx
Acquired from the Phoenix Mercury in an offseason trade, Cunningham quickly became a fan favorite in Indiana as the Fever sought to add prolific shooters around star point guard Caitlin Clark.
In 30 games this season, Cunningham averaged 8.6 points per game and shot a career-best 46.9 percent from the floor, while making 43.2 percent of her shots from 3-point range.
Cunningham, Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald are now all out with season-ending leg injuries, while Clark has missed the past 13 games with a right groin strain.
Indiana (19-16) remains in the thick of the WNBA playoff race, but the Fever's devastating run of injuries threatens to derail a season that once held so much promise.
MORE WNBA NEWS:
- Fever’s best passer without Caitlin Clark isn’t who you’d expect
- Marina Mabrey stepped in to shield Sophie Cunningham from view after tough injury
- Fever's Caitlin Clark gets concerning injury update from coach Stephanie White
- DeWanna Bonner loudly reminded the Indiana Fever what they were missing
- The Indiana Fever is running out of point guards