Indiana Fever Announce Sophie Cunningham News on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Jul 9, 2026 9:12 PM ET

The Indiana Fever (12-9) head into Thursday’s matchup against the Phoenix Mercury (8-14) looking to rebound from a 106-92 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. The defeat snapped Indiana’s two-game winning streak and dropped the Fever to seventh in the WNBA standings.

As the Fever prepared for the second game of a back-to-back, one of the biggest questions was the status of veteran guard Sophie Cunningham, who has been dealing with back spasms.

Cunningham was initially listed as questionable just before tip off on Wednesday but ultimately fought through the discomfort to suit up against Los Angeles. Clearly limited by the issue, she finished with just two points on 1-for-4 shooting, missing all three of her attempts from beyond the arc while logging 11 minutes off the bench.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8).Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Despite the off night, Cunningham has quietly put together one of the best campaigns of her career. This season, she is averaging 9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists, while shooting 48.3% from the field and 41.3% from 3-point range.

Moments before Thursday’s game, Indiana announced it will have one of its most reliable contributors on the floor. In their final injury report before tipoff, the Fever cleared Cunningham to play against her former team.

Cunningham eased concerns about the injury during her pregame media availability.

“I actually feeling good because I didn’t really play much [on Wednesday],” Cunningham said when asked about the back spasms that sidelined her after initially keeping her out at the beginning of Wednesday’s game.

The veteran also dismissed the idea that back spasms have become a recurring issue.

“Oh no, I think I’m just getting old,” Cunningham said with a smile. “I got off the ground from stretching, and it just kind of locked up on me. I’m fine, it’s just part of it. I think I’m a little dehydrated. I had some kind of stomach issues… but much better” (h/t Chloe Peterson of IndySports).

Sophie Cunningham says she’s feeling good after her back spasm kept her out of the beginning of the game last night.

On if back spasms are frequent for her: “Oh no, I think I’m just getting old. I got off the ground from stretching, and it just like kind of locked up on me.” pic.twitter.com/BJsf3B0AtP
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) July 10, 2026

Three-time All-Star Caitlin Clark was already ruled unavailable as part of the team’s injury management plan after making her return against Los Angeles.

Cunningham’s presence is encouraging news for the Fever, who will face a Mercury team that has won three of its last four games, including a controversial 111-109 win over Indiana on June 24. The Fever did win the first meeting between the teams, 86-77, in a physical contest that featured six technical fouls between the two sides.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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