In the second quarter of the Indiana Fever’s 99-93 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, Sophie Cunningham left the game after suffering a knee injury. After the game, Fever beat reporter Scott Agness revealed Cunningham is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday. The injury occurred when Sun guard Bria Hartley crashed into Cunningham on a […]
In the second quarter of the Indiana Fever’s 99-93 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, Sophie Cunningham left the game after suffering a knee injury. After the game, Fever beat reporter Scott Agness revealed Cunningham is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.
The injury occurred when Sun guard Bria Hartley crashed into Cunningham on a drive to the basket. Hartley seemingly fell onto the lower part of Cunningham’s leg, causing the Fever star to hobble away on one leg while clutching her injured knee.
Eventually, Cunningham fell to the floor and had to be helped to the locker room. She didn’t return to the game. With Cunningham out, the Fever rallied together and mounted a 21-point comeback, the largest in the franchise’s history.
Kelsey Mitchell was spectacular in the victory, tallying 39 points. It is tied for the most points a WNBA player has scored in a single game this season. Cunningham cheered on her teammate online, tweeting, “KELSEY FREAKIN MITCHELL.”
While the Fever were able to pull out a win on Sunday, Indiana fans can only hope Cunningham’s injury isn’t long-term. The former Missouri standout has been pivotal to the team’s success this season, averaging 8.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 44.3% from beyond the arc.
Cunningham’s step up in production has been particularly important while Fever star Caitlin Clark has been sidelined. Clark last played on July 15 and has missed 21 total games this season.
Cunningham could be joining on the Clark on the sideline for the foreseeable future if her MRI doesn’t go well on Monday. It’s safe to say Cunningham’s family isn’t happy with the officials from the game on Sunday.
After Cunningham left the game with her injury, her sister blasted the WNBA online, seemingly claiming Hartley intentionally hurt Sophie.
“@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,” she wrote.
Sophie Cunningham’s sister wasn’t the only family member who was frustrated with the injury. Cunningham’s mother took aim at Hartley following Sophie’s misfortune: “Hartley is a disgruntled player having trouble everywhere she goes; she’s plain mean and plays out of control.”
The Fever will take the court next on Friday against the Minnesota Lynx at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ION.
Category: General Sports
