The Indiana Fever star is speaking out after being ruled out for the year.
The WNBA’s Indiana Fever recently received a huge blow, as prized offseason acquisition Sophie Cunningham has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Cunningham had become an important piece for the Fever in her first season with the team, especially as they’ve navigated injury concerns throughout the year.
Cunningham was hurt on a play in which she collided with another player, and some fans are suggesting ill intent from the other player. Cunningham is speaking out on the incident that ended her season, and she has a somewhat surprising point of view about the matter.
On Wednesday’s new episode of her “Show Me Something,” podcast, Cunningham explained that she holds nothing against the player she ran into, and even noted that they’re good friends off the court.
Cunningham was referring to Connecticut Sun player Bria Hartley, and said that there was no clear malicious intent in the actions that led to her getting hurt.
The Fever player called Hartley’s move before their collision “a basketball play,” and said that “I was just in the wrong spot at the wrong time. She fell. There was no way she would go in there and intentionally try to hurt me.”
She said she had “nothing but love for Bria,” despite a controversial post from her mother. Cunningham’s mother called Hartley “disgruntled” and “mean” after the game on social media in a post that has since been deleted.
“I even told my mom, because she tweeted something, and I was like, ‘No, mom! I get it,'” Cunningham said, understanding that her mother just wanted to defend her daughter after a serious injury on the court.
“But I promise you that Bria and I are super cool and she would never try to hurt me.’”
What Does Her Injury Mean For the Fever?
Cunningham leaves this season after averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and around one steal per game. She was initially brought in as a rotational piece to take some of the scoring load off All-Stars Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, but injuries have caused roadblocks in their season..er.
The Fever are currently third in the Eastern conference, and they’ll look to make a final platoff push as their starters and get set to compete against other teams around the league.
