Indianapolis, IN – Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever, is facing the aftermath of a controversial social media post that she later asked her mother to delete regarding Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley. The incident occurred during a game where Cunningham suffered a season-ending knee injury, leading to a heated exchange on social media. Cunningham’s mother, Paula, initially posted a critical statement about Hartley on X, describing her as a “disgruntled player” who plays “out of control.”
Cunningham, however, swiftly addressed the situation, stating that she believes Hartley did not intend to harm her and that their friendship remains intact. In a recent podcast titled “Show Me Something,” Cunningham clarified her position, saying that she had no doubt in her mind that Hart, who is a former teammate, would not intentionally harm her. “There’s no way she would go in there and intentionally try to hurt me,” Cunningham said. She also reassured her mother that she and Hartley are on good terms, and that any blame should not be placed on Hartley.
The injury occurred during the second quarter of Indiana’s 99-93 overtime win over the Connecticut Sun. Cunningham suffered a right knee injury when Hartley fell into her leg, leading to a season-ending MCL tear. Cunningham confirmed that she will undergo surgery soon and expressed relief that the injury is not as severe as it could have been. “If you’re going to hurt your knee, that is the best possible case,” she said.
Despite the incident, Cunningham remains focused on the team’s progress and the challenges they face. Her comments came as the Fever prepare for the remainder of the season with several key players sidelined due to injuries. The team has already lost Caitlin Clark for most of the regular season, and other key guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald were also sidelined with injuries. “This year, just as a whole – I think the league as a whole, but really us – we’ve just gone through so much adversity and injury-wise it’s just been – like you can’t make this s— up,” Cunningham said.
The comments reflect a broader trend of adversity within the WNBA as several teams grapple with injuries and challenges to their rosters. Cunningham’s situation highlights the delicate balance between personal relationships and professional sports, where a single incident can have significant consequences. As the season continues, the focus will remain on the team’s ability to adapt and recover from these setbacks.