Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham will sit out their season opener against the Chicago Sky with a right ankle injury.
On Friday, the team announced that the 28-year-old is out for Saturday’s game. The timeline for her return remains unknown.
Cunningham sustained the injury during the Fever’s final preseason game against the Atlanta Dream on May 10. In the third quarter, Cunningham rolled her ankle on Atlanta player Rhyne Howard’s foot while fighting for a rebound. She left the game after and did not return.
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Fever coach Stephanie White did not give details about Cunningham when asked about her not practicing earlier this week. While initially saying they would take things day by day, White emphasized how they were focused on Cunningham’s long-term health and not rushing to have her ready for Chicago.
Cunningham landed in Indiana from Phoenix after a four-team trade between the Fever, Mercury, Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun in January.
Phoenix drafted Cunningham out of Missouri with the 13th pick in 2019. She remained in the Valley for five years and averaged 8.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 2024.
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Cunningham scored 21, 6 and 5 points in Indiana’s preseason games, as the Fever went 3-0 in tune-up matches.
Caitlin Clark will lead the Fever against Angel Reese and the Sky at 3 p.m. ET on ABC on Saturday.