Sophie Cunningham Reflects on Painful WNBA Playoff Loss and Injury Recovery

Sophie Cunningham was a key addition for the Indiana Fever ahead of the 2025 WNBA season. The Fever gave up NaLyssa Smith and a couple of future draft picks as part of the four-team trade deal to acquire Cunningham.

Cunningham made an immediate impact on the squad on both ends of the floor. In 30 games played, the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.7 triples per contest. She also served as a vocal leader on and off the court.

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Unfortunately, Cunningham’s debut season came to a heartbreaking end in August. This was after she tore the MCL in her right knee — an injury that required season-ending surgery.

Cunningham continued to play a pivotal role for the squad despite her injury. She was a central figure on the bench, cheering and supporting her teammates the rest of the season.

Cunningham was all-in as the Fever made it all the way to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs. Indiana pushed the Las Vegas Aces in the semis, but the Fever eventually lost in Game 5. This marked the end of a memorable campaign for the injury-plagued squad.

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Cunningham admitted that getting so close to winning a title made the series loss even more painful.

“I think when you get that close that it hurts even more, right?” Cunningham said. “Like, if you don’t even make it to playoffs, you know, ‘One day.’ But when you’re that close to getting there, it just leaves not a great taste in your mouth.”

Cunningham made her comments on Wednesday during the Fever’s media day. Indiana kicked off training camp on Sunday, and Cunningham is adamant that the entire team is fired up.

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“And so I think we’re all motivated,” she continued. “We don’t even have to motivate each other. I think training camp has already been phenomenal.”