The Indiana Fever are riding high after a buzzer-beating victory over the Washington Mystics put them above the .500 mark once again, but they’ll be missing some depth on the bench heading into Thursday’s matchup.
Guard Sophie Cunningham won’t be available to play when the Fever host the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday due to a right elbow injury, the team announced hours ahead of tipoff.
Advertisement
Cunningham is averaging 8.7 points in 22.9 minutes per game across the first 11 games this season, including three starts while guard Lexie Hull was sidelined earlier this season. Cunningham is shooting 45.6% from the field and 33.3% from the 3-point line, down from last year’s average of 43.2% from beyond the arc.
Cunningham will be out for the first time this season. She was limited to 30 games last season after suffering a season-ending MCL tear in her right knee on Aug. 17.
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 08: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever celebrates with Sophie Cunningham #8 after scoring the game-winning three pointer during the second half against the Washington Mystics at CareFirst Arena on June 08, 2026 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Here’s what we know about Cunningham’s injury:
Is Sophie Cunningham playing tonight?
Cunningham was ruled out of the Fever’s matchup against the Sky on Thursday due to a right elbow injury. She was previously listed as questionable on the injury report, before being downgraded around 4:45 p.m. ET.
Advertisement
Caitlin Clark was also listed on the Fever’s injury report as probable due to her back. She was upgraded to available Thursday afternoon and will suit up.
What happened to Sophie Cunningham’s elbow?
It’s not clear how Cunningham injured her elbow.
Cunningham played in the Fever’s 78-76 win over the Washington Mystics on Monday. Indiana led by as many as 17 points, but trailed by two with 41 seconds remaining after the Mystics went on a run. The Fever sealed the win after Cunningham inbounded the ball to Clark, who drained a logo 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left.
“Stressin me (the expletive) out,” Cunningham wrote on X, responding to a photo of her and Clark celebrating the Fever’s win.
Advertisement
Although some fans questioned whether Cunningham improvised on the inbound or followed the play head coach Stephanie White drew up or if, Cunningham took to social media to shut down the speculation. She wrote, “You guys read too much into things. that’s THE EXACT play our coach drew up and we executed it perfectly!”
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sophie Cunningham injury update: Fever guard ruled out (elbow)
