Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham will miss the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season after suffering a right knee MCL tear, the team announced on Tuesday. The injury occurred in Sunday’s matchup with the Connecticut Sun.
Cunningham becomes the third Fever guard to endure a season-ending injury in the past two weeks. Aari McDonald is out with a broken bone in her foot, Sydney Colson has an ACL tear, and both were hurt in the same game on August 7. Caitlin Clark, who has been out with a right groin injury for about a month, remains sidelined indefinitely.
To help fill the void, Indiana signed guard Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract and released guard Kyra Lambert. Cunningham, who was in her first season in Indiana after being traded from Phoenix, owned averages of 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds across 13 starts. The team said she is expected to make a full recovery.
Indiana sits at 19-16 and sixth in the standings, still trying to protect its playoff position with less than a month left in the regular season. The WNBA’s playoff field includes the top eight teams.
Head coach Stephanie White was asked about the potential return of Caitlin Clark, who has been out with a groin issue: “That’s the hope. The hope is that she’s back.”
Overview and context:
– The Fever’s guard depth is being tested as injuries mount, with three season-ending guard injuries and an indefinite absence for Clark.
– The addition of Shey Peddy gives Indiana another guard option off the bench as it navigates the closing stretch of the season.
– Cunningham’s injury is a setback for Indiana’s rotation, but the team remains in the hunt for a playoff berth and will lean on remaining veterans and emerging players to carry the minutes.
Summary:
Cunningham’s season-ending knee injury compounds Indiana’s guard-rotation challenges as the Fever push to secure a postseason spot, aided by a short-term addition in Shey Peddy and continued hopes for Clark’s return. The team’s playoff fate remains in their hands with under a month left in the regular season.
Commentary:
– The Fever’s ability to adapt quickly will be tested in the coming weeks. The hardship signing indicates the coaching staff will rely more on depth players and may accelerate the development of younger guards.
– If Clark returns soon, the Fever could stabilize their backcourt rotation and regain some offensive balance, which would be a significant boost for the closing games of the season.
Positive note:
– The organization has shown resilience with multiple injuries, and the deadline-pass signings suggest a proactive approach to staying competitive. Fans can look for incremental improvement as remaining players adjust to increased responsibility and opportunity.