Sophie Cunningham’s Knee Injury Raises Concerns for Indiana Fever’s Season

The Indiana Fever’s playoff hopes took a significant blow on August 17, 2025, when star guard Sophie Cunningham suffered a potentially serious knee injury during the team’s clash against the Connecticut Sun. The injury occurred in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, under unfortunate circumstances that have now drawn medical speculation from sports experts.

Cunningham was defending Bria Hartley when the Sun player lost her balance and fell, inadvertently rolling into the outside of Cunningham’s right knee. The moment Hartley’s body contacted her leg, Cunningham immediately showed signs of distress. She clutched her knee, limped briefly, then collapsed to the ground near the baseline in visible agony. Fever staff quickly attended to her before she was helped off the court and escorted to the locker room. She did not return for the remainder of the game.

Head coach Stephanie White confirmed after the match that there was no official diagnosis at the time but stated that Cunningham would undergo an MRI on Monday, August 18, to determine the extent of the injury.

What Are the Most Likely Injuries to Sophie Cunningham’s Knee?

According to sports injury physician Dr. Brian Sutterer, known for analyzing athlete injuries via his YouTube channel, two primary knee injuries are considered likely based on video footage and biomechanical analysis of the incident.

While an ACL tear was mentioned as a possibility due to the angle and type of impact, Dr. Sutterer indicated that it is less probable in Cunningham’s case. Instead, he suggests two more plausible scenarios:

• MCL Injury (Possibly a Tear): The medial collateral ligament (MCL), located on the inner side of the knee, could have been overstretched or torn due to Hartley falling onto the outer side of Cunningham’s leg. This inward stress is typical for MCL trauma.

• Patellar Dislocation: A kneecap (patella) dislocation is also a serious concern, especially given the direction of the impact. Sutterer emphasized this as a realistic possibility, noting it could sideline Cunningham for several weeks or even the remainder of the season.

Despite his expertise, Sutterer made it clear that these assessments are speculative without official imaging, and only the MRI can confirm the actual injury.

Why Sophie Cunningham’s Injury Matters for the WNBA

Sophie Cunningham has been a key contributor for the Indiana Fever, both offensively and defensively. Known for her hustle, perimeter shooting, and leadership, her presence on the court has been pivotal in the Fever’s recent momentum. Her injury not only puts a question mark over her availability for the rest of the 2025 WNBA season but also affects team dynamics and playoff strategies.

The Fever have battled inconsistency all season, and the loss of a veteran like Cunningham could disrupt their rotation significantly. For a team on the edge of postseason contention, the timing couldn’t be worse.

As the Fever await the results of Cunningham’s MRI, the team must prepare contingency plans in case she is ruled out for multiple games or the remainder of the season. This could mean more minutes for bench players and a reshuffling of both offensive sets and defensive assignments.

Depending on the MRI outcome, if it’s an MCL sprain or minor dislocation, Cunningham might return before the season ends. But if it’s a full tear or more severe structural damage, her season is likely over.

WNBA teams and fans alike will be watching closely for updates, as Cunningham’s health could significantly influence the postseason landscape.

Sophie Cunningham’s knee injury underscores the fine line between triumph and setback in professional sports. While the Fever cling to playoff hopes, they now face the challenge of doing so without one of their most valuable players—at least for the foreseeable future.