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Posts tagged as “Sophie Cunningham”

WNBA Free Agency: Sophie Cunningham Resigns with the Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever have officially announced the return of fan-favorite guard Sophie Cunningham for the 2026 season. After being acquired via trade from the Phoenix Mercury in 2025, Cunningham quickly cemented herself as a cornerstone of the Fever’s roster and a locker-room leader.

Despite a shortened 2025 campaign due to an MCL tear in the final month of the regular season, Cunningham’s impact was undeniable. She stepped up significantly during Caitlin Clark’s injury-related absence, providing elite floor spacing and veteran grit. Her statistical contributions were stellar, as she shot:

  • 47% from the field overall.
  • 43% from 3-point range (ranking 3rd in the WNBA).

General Manager Amber Cox praised Cunningham’s “infectious energy” and competitive spirit, noting that her elite perimeter shooting creates vital opportunities for her teammates. Cunningham expressed her excitement to return to Indianapolis, citing a desire to finish what the team started during their “special” 2025 run. Now fully recovered, the sharpshooting veteran is expected to be a primary catalyst in Indiana’s 2026 championship pursuit, much to the delight of a fanbase she has dubbed the best in the league.

Fever’s Sophie Cunningham will be out for the season due to an MCL tear in her right knee

Here’s the statement that the Fever released;

You can also read the full text that the team published on WNBA.com. Together with this sad news, Fever also announced that they’re releasing guard Kyra Lambert and signing guard Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract.

ICYMI: Fever defeated the Sun in OT, in a come from behind win after being down by 21-points ( 99 – 93)

In a stunning display of resilience, the Indiana Fever secured a historic 99-93 overtime victory against the Connecticut Sun. Trailing by a franchise-record 21 points early in the third quarter, the Fever mounted an improbable comeback.

Fever’s rally was led by a red-hot Kelsey Mitchell, who scored 34 of her career-high 38 points in the second half and overtime. Mitchell’s clutch shooting, including back-to-back three-pointers to start the extra period, fueled the comeback. Aliyah Boston also played a pivotal role, notching her 15th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds, a new franchise record. Lexie Hull, despite missing her first three shot, hit a corner 3-pointer with 44.9 seconds in OT to give the Indiana Fever a 7 point lead and eventually beat the Connecticut Sun 99-93.

Despite the heroics, the win was bittersweet as the Fever’s Sophie Cunningham left the game in the second quarter due to a knee injury and did not return.

Full Game Highlights

The win gives the Fever enough cushion as they face the Lynx in the next two games starting this Friday, while the Sun plays at Washington on Tuesday.

Fever are now down with 4 players; Caitlin Clark (groin injury), Sydney Colson (ACL tear in her left knee), Aari McDonald (right foot broken bone) and now Sophie Cunningham.

Indiana Fever Suffers Close Loss to Dallas Wings (81 – 80)

The Indiana Fever suffered a 1-point loss to the Dallas Wings, falling 81-80 in a close matchup. Maddy Siegrist led the Wings with a career-high 22 points in her first start since June 6. Paige Bueckers had another impressive all-around performance with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Li Yueru added 20 points off the bench.

The Fever played catch-up for most of the game, briefly leading by six points (46-52). However, the Wings went on a dominant 32-9 run, building a 17-point lead (78-61) in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Fever managed to cut the lead to just one point with 33.4 seconds left, but Kelsey Mitchell missed a 15-foot pull-up jumper that could have secured the win.

Mitchell led the Fever with 24 points and 6 rebounds. Sophie Cunningham and Aliyah Boston each added 14 points, and Natasha Howard had another double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Chloe Bibby had her highest production as a member of the Fever, scoring 11 points in just 11 minutes of play. The Fever were without their star point guard Caitlin Clark, who is reportedly “progressing from an injured right groin but still is not practicing” with the team.

Next for the Fever will be against the Washington Mystics while the Wings will host the Sparks, both games will be this Friday.

Full Game Highlights

Short-handed Indiana Fever gives Chicago Sky a 22-point beating (92 – 70)

Even though the Fever were without their three point guards, they handed the Sky a 22-point beating (92–70).

Four of the Indiana Fever’s starters scored in double digits: Aliyah Boston with 15 points, Kelsey Mitchell with 26 points (4-of-8 from the three-point line) and 8 assists, Sophie Cunningham with 16 points (3-of-6 from the three-point line), and Lexie Hull with 17 points (4-of-6 from the three-point line). Natasha Howard also contributed 7 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The bench also made an impact, especially on the defensive end, with three steals and two blocks. Makayla Timpson added 7 points off the bench.

Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald are both out with season-ending injuries from their last game against Phoenix. Colson suffered a torn left ACL, while McDonald had a broken bone in her right foot. Caitlin Clark is also still out with a groin injury.

Sky are also missing some key players mainly Angel Reese with a back injury and Courtney Vandersloot with a torn right ACL injury.

The Indiana Fever will play their next two games at home, starting with the Dallas Wings this Wednesday. The Sky will visit Connecticut on Thursday.

Indiana Fever Wins 5th Straight Game Over Seattle Storm (78 – 74)

The Indiana Fever continued their impressive run, securing their fifth consecutive victory with a gritty 78-74 win over the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday night. Despite being without star Caitlin Clark for the seventh straight game, the Fever showcased their depth and resilience, improving their record to 17-12 on the season and are currently 5th in the standing and just 1.5 game behind NY Liberty.

The Fever were led by a stellar performance from Natasha Howard, who scored 21 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Sophie Cunningham added a season-high 17 points, including a scorching 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Aliyah Boston continued her dominant form, notching another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, proving crucial down the stretch scoring nine-straight points in the fourth quarter.

It was close game but the Fever was able to build an 8-point lead (42-34) at halftime, fueled by strong offensive contributions from Howard and Cunningham, and the rest of the team, Indiana was able to extend the lead to 13-points mid-3rd quarter. Seattle, however, refused to back down, made a significant push at the end of third quarter and all of the 4th quarter. Storm even cut the lead to just 1 point via Dominique Malonga’s inside play with 12.2 seconds left in the game (75 – 74). Then Kelsey Mitchell made a late layup with 8.21 seconds remaining to give Indiana a 3-point cushion. Aliyah Boston added a key free throw in the closing seconds to ice the game.

The Storm, led by Nneka Ogwumike’s 16 points, followed by Skylar Diggins’ 13 points, Gabby Williams (12 points, 9 rebounds), and Dominique Malonga (12 points).

The Indiana Fever will look to continue their winning streak as they face the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday. While the Seattle Storm will host the league-leading Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday.

Full Game High Lights;

Indiana Fever defeats Phoenix Mercury to extend streak to 3 wins (107 – 101)

The Indiana Fever got their first win against DeWanna Bonner and the Phoenix Mercury (107 – 101). It was Bonner’s first game against the Fever and as expected the crowd boos her as soon as she gets a hold of the ball. Fever is still without Caitlin Clark who is out due to a groin injury since the 2025 All-Star games.

It was a total team effort by the Fever, with five players scoring in double digits. Aari McDonald scored a career-high 27 points, including 3 three-pointers. Aliyah Boston had 22 points and 12 rebounds, marking her 12th double-double for the season and was unstoppable, scoring 17 of this 22 points in the 4th quarter.

Sophie Cunningham and Damiris Dantas each scored 12 points, and Chloe Bibby added 10 points off the bench. Kelsey Mitchell, who played exceptionally well in their last game against the Sky, was limited to just 8 points due to foul trouble, while Natasha Howard, despite scoring just 6 points, was big on the defensive end with 2 blocks, 1 steal, and 6 rebounds.

For Phoenix, Alyssa Thomas lead Phoenix with 32 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Kahleah Copper added 22 points and Sami Whitcomb scored 18, including the buzzer-beater 3-points to end the first half. DeWanna Bonner who signed with the Fever at the start of the season but left to go Phoenix after 9 games.

Full Game High Lights;

Indiana Fever will try to win their 4th game as they go to Dallas this Saturday, while Phoenix will go to Atlanta also this coming Saturday.

NY Liberty routs Indiana Fever Sans Caitlin Clark (98 – 77)

The New York Liberty did defeat the Indiana Fever with a score of 98-77. The Fever were without their star point guard Caitlin Clark due to a right groin injury she sustained the previous night against the Connecticut Sun.

It was a close game at the start until Liberty ran way with the game building a 15-point lead by the end of first half and never look back. Liberty’s largest lead was 26 points (48 – 74) in the 3rd quarter.

Breanna Stewart lead the NY with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, Sabrina Ionescu added 15 points and 9 assists.

Fever’s leading scorer is Kelsey Mitchell with 16 points, followed by Sophie Cunningham, who moved up to start the game with 12 points and Damiris Dantas added another 11 points. NY Liberty’s win halt’s Indiana’s 3 game winning streak against the Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings and Connecticut Suns.

This will be Fever’s last game as they prepare for the WNBA All-Star Weekend. After the break, they will face the Liberty once again, Wednesday night.

Indiana Fever defeat Connecticut Sun to advance to the Commissioner’s Cup Finals (88 – 71)

After a very physical game, the Indiana Fever defeated the Connecticut Sun (88 – 71). The win assures the Fever a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

It was a close game in the first half but in the second half, Indiana managed to build an 8-point lead entering the 3rd quarter then tension started to build between Clark and Sun guard Jacy Sheldon, after Sheldon “accidentally” made contact with Caitlin Clark’s face during a play, leading to a shove from Clark and a subsequent push to the ground by Marina Mabrey. After a lengthy review, Sheldon was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul, while Clark, Mabrey, and Tina Charles each received technical fouls.

In the final minutes of the game, there was tension between the two team in the final minute of the game. With the Fever comfortably ahead, Sophie Cunningham committed a hard foul on Sheldon, leading to a scuffle that resulted in Cunningham’s ejection with a Flagrant 2, and ejections for Sheldon and Lindsay Allen of the Sun for escalating the altercation. Fever coach Stephanie White later expressed frustration with the officiating, citing a perceived lack of control throughout the game and the season.

In the end, the Indiana Fever’s strong offensive execution and defensive tenacity, especially in the third quarter, proved too much for the struggling Connecticut Sun. The win, combined with an Atlanta loss, means the Fever will now face the Minnesota Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup Final on July 1st.

Game Highlights

Indiana will travel to San Francisco to face the Golden State Valkyries this Friday, while the Connecticut Sun will host the Phoenix Mercury this Thursday.