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Aug 17, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) and Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) work for the ball in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

'Maybe I’m Not That Hurt': Sophie Cunningham Shockingly Tried To Push Through MCL Tear

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 12:48 PM ET

Sophie Cunningham didn’t waste a moment after tearing her MCL in Sunday’s overtime win. On her Show Me Something podcast, she got into the most Sophie moment possible—trying to walk it off.

“I can walk [now]. I actually, you know what? I tried to kind of right when it [injury] happened. I went into the locker room when the docs were checking it out and then I went back to shower just so I could be clean and then do rehab or treatment,” Sophie Cunningham said. “And I was like, you know what? Maybe I’m not that hurt, and I tried kind of running a little bit and I almost ate sh-t in the shower by myself because my knee was just like bleh .”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cuyUcmkpU0

That bite-your-tongue raw moment instantly went viral—because it wasn’t scripted. Sophie Cunningham took a bad knee, tested it, and nearly landed face-first after deciding she was fine. Cue the face-palm.

The aftermath wasn’t light either. The MRI confirmed a torn MCL, and the Fever officially ruled her out for the rest of the season. In response, they signed veteran guard Shey Peddy on a hardship deal.

Her injury compounds an ugly trend for Indiana: losing Sophie joins a growing injury log that already includes Caitlin Clark (groin), Sydney Colson (ACL), and Aari McDonald (broken foot). The off-court drama got real when her family p ublicly criticized the officiating—then Sophie herself defended Connecticut’s Bria Hartley, calling the injury “a basketball play.”

If nothing else, Sophie Cunningham showed her competitive fire in that moment—ready to walk, dignified enough to laugh when she couldn’t.

How Sophie Cunningham’s MCL Injury Has Reshaped the Fever’s Late-Season Push

Sophie Cunningham’s MCL tear is more than just an injury—it’s a major blow to Indiana’s playoff hopes. The Fever lost their third guard in a matter of days, following season-ending setbacks to Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald.

Aug 17, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) is helped off the court injured as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

With the loss confirmed via MRI, there’s no timeline for return—but coach Stephanie White echoed a familiar theme: bouncing back healthier is better than rushing back hurt. The team replaced Sophie with Shey Peddy on a hardship contract, underscoring how thin the roster has grown.

Sophie was averaging solid production—8.6 points and defensive energy in 30 appearances. Her drive and voice have been key, especially while Caitlin Clark continues rehabilitating her groin injury.

Even with the setbacks, Sophie made a point to emphasize the accident wasn’t intentional, redirecting criticism toward the incident rather than the player. That maturity is a reminder: she’s not just a scorer, but a soul of the team.

Aug 17, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) on the court injured as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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