Sophie Cunningham has had a rocky start to her debut season with the Indiana Fever. After being traded from the Phoenix Mercury during the offseason, she was eager to make an impact in her new environment. But injuries had other plans. Cunningham has missed five of the Fever’s first nine games, struggling with a nagging ankle injury that flared up again just two weeks ago. Despite the setback, she’s remained upbeat and focused on her recovery. Speaking on Thursday, Cunningham expressed her readiness to play, humorously noting, “I feel like I’ve been ready since it happened—but I’m not a doctor, so it’s up to them.” Her remarks reflect both her competitive spirit and the uncertainty that comes with injuries in professional sports.
The injury occurred on May 30 during a game against the Connecticut Sun. While setting a screen for teammate Jacy Sheldon, Cunningham twisted her ankle and collapsed in pain. It was a discouraging moment—particularly since she had only just returned to the court after missing the first two games of the season due to the same ankle injury. Initially hurt during the Fever’s final preseason game on May 10, Cunningham had spent two weeks recovering before her brief return on May 22. Unfortunately, that return proved premature, leading to the painful recurrence that has now kept her sidelined.
Being unable to contribute on the floor has been a difficult adjustment, especially for a player who hoped to reset her career in a new city. Cunningham shared that she came into training camp in peak condition, feeling more prepared than ever. But like many athletes, she’s learned that some things are out of her control. “I felt like I was in the best shape I’ve been in since joining the league,” she said. “Then I got hurt, and maybe I came back a little too early. It was a freak accident, but all I can do now is control what I can.” In the meantime, she’s thrown herself into supporting her teammates—staying vocal on the bench and injecting energy into practices alongside fellow sidelined player Caitlin Clark.
This past Monday marked a significant step forward for Cunningham, as she returned to practice and began working toward full conditioning. Cardio, game rhythm, and careful monitoring have become the focus of her daily routine. Ankle injuries, notoriously unpredictable, can feel healed one day and swell up the next. That volatility is exactly why Fever head coach Stephanie White and the training staff are proceeding with caution. White emphasized the importance of watching for subtle imbalances or hesitation in movement, noting that the goal is to gradually ramp up Cunningham’s activity in practice before she sees live game action again.
Looking ahead, there’s optimism that both Cunningham and Clark could suit up as early as Saturday, when the Fever take on the defending champion New York Liberty. While nothing has been officially confirmed, Cunningham sounded hopeful: “I’m feeling really good… just waiting on clearance, and so far so good.” If cleared, her return could signal the end of Aari McDonald’s short stint with the team. Signed under a hardship contract on June 1, McDonald has impressed, but WNBA rules mandate that such contracts end once the team has 10 healthy players again. As the Fever inch closer to full strength, fans may soon see a revamped roster back on the floor—and a determined Cunningham finally making her mark in Indiana.
