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It's not just Caitlin Clark who has been sidelined by injury for the Indiana Fever. While there is no denying that missing the services of the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year continues to be the most significant blow for the Fever, this team has also felt the absence of veteran guard Sophie Cunningham.
Cunningham, who joined Indiana in the offseason via a complex 10-team trade, missed the Fever's first two games of the season due to an ankle injury. The 28-year-old returned to action, but reaggravated the issue in their 85-83 loss to the Connecticut Sun on May 30.
She has since been forced to miss the Fever's last three games as the former Missouri star continues to work her way back from the ankle problem.
Cunningham spoke to reporters on Thursday during practice, and she admitted that if it were up to her, she would be back on the floor already.
“I feel like I’ve been ready to go since it happened,” Cunningham said with a laugh, via Chloe Peterson of IndyStar. “But I’m not a doctor, so it’s up to them.”
Cunningham is trusting the process. Being the veteran that she is, the former Phoenix Mercury guard knows full well that the team's medical staff is just doing what's best for her.
The fact that she already re-injured the same ankle could be an indication that her initial return came too soon, and the last thing the team wants is a repeat of that misstep.
At this point, Indiana has not confirmed if Cunningham will be available for Saturday's big game against the defending champs, the New York Liberty.
More must-reads:
- Sparks receive significant update on 2024 rookie's return from injury
- Paige Bueckers, Wings show how bright their future is with upset win over Liberty
- The 'NFL stadium names' quiz
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Sparks receive significant update on 2024 rookie's return from injury
The Los Angeles Sparks are the WNBA's hottest team, and a recent injury update could mean they won't cool down anytime soon. Forward Cameron Brink, the team's first-round pick (No. 2 overall) of the 2024 WNBA Draft, is set for her return after suffering an ACL tear in June 2024. Brink is expected to play on Tuesday, when the Sparks host the Las Vegas Aces (13-13). Last season, Brink started 15 games before being injured and quickly established herself as a defensive force, averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.1 steals while adding 7.5 points per game. Per Stathead, Brink is one of seven players in WNBA history to average at least two blocks and one assist per game in their first season and the first since 2008, when both Sylvia Fowles and Candace Parker accomplished the feat. With Brink slated to return to the Sparks rotation, Los Angeles could be in better shape to keep up its positive momentum. The Sparks (11-14) have won five consecutive games, the longest active win streak in WNBA. On Saturday, they defeated the New York Liberty (17-7), 101-99, on a Rickea Jackson buzzer-beater. Los Angeles is only a game behind the Washington Mystics (12-13) for the league's final playoff spot, and Brink could help erase the gap completely. The Sparks have struggled defensively this season, allowing the league's second-most points per game (87.3) and ranking 11th in defensive rating (109.9). (h/t Basketball Reference) Those shortcomings have negated the team's offensive success. Los Angeles ranks third in scoring (85 points per game) and second in pace. It holds the league's top three-point shooting percentage (35.7%) and second-best shooting percentage overall (45.8%). With better defensive effort, which Brink should provide, the already-hot Sparks could soon ignite.
Raiders' Pete Carroll has cryptic comments on bizarre Christian Wilkins situation
There have been a couple of different theories floated about why the Las Vegas Raiders made the shocking decision to cut star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, but head coach Pete Carroll has no interest in sharing the real motive. The Raiders released Wilkins on Thursday, which was barely a year after they signed him to a four-year, $110M contract in free agency. Initial reports suggested Wilkins and the team were at odds over how the 29-year-old's foot injury was being handled, but the story has since taken a bizarre turn. ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Monday that there was an incident between Wilkins and a teammate in the locker room that Wilkins viewed as playful, but his teammate did not take it that way. Tashan Reed of The Athletic reported that the incident took place in a meeting room at the Raiders' facility last week and was investigated by the team's human resources department. On Tuesday, a reporter asked Carroll about the alleged incident. The 73-year-old coach refused to get into it. "I have no comment to make,” Carroll said, via The Athletic. “We made a decision on what we’re doing, and we’re moving with it. We’ll see how that all unveils itself in time.” The last part of Carroll's comment is interesting. Carroll may have been saying time will tell how the decision to cut Wilkins will turn out for the Raiders, or he may have been insinuating that more information will come out at some point. Raiders defensive tackle Adam Nelson was also asked about Wilkins on Tuesday. Nelson responded by encouraging people to seek therapy if they are struggling with something in their life. Wilkins had 17 total tackles and a pair of sacks in five games with the Raiders before he suffered his season-ending foot injury.
Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
Dodgers facing potential trade decision amid Blake Snell news
Left-handed starting pitcher Blake Snell is in his 10th major-league season after making his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016. Snell spent time with the San Diego Padres, then signed a deal with the San Francisco Giants after the 2023 season, which he later opted out of to enter free agency in 2024. The 32-year-old veteran signed a five-year, $182M contract this offseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers after an exceptional 2024 campaign. Snell earned such a lucrative contract thanks to his outstanding career to date, which includes two Cy Young Awards and an All-Star appearance. Over 213 career starts, he owns a 77–58 record, a 3.18 ERA and 1,372 strikeouts. Snell was placed on the injured list on April 6 (retroactive to April 3) with left shoulder inflammation after experiencing discomfort during a bullpen session; he had made only two starts for the Dodgers before the injury. After four minor-league rehab outings, manager Dave Roberts announced on Sunday that Snell is expected to rejoin the rotation next week. With his return looming, the Dodgers have decided to shift to a six-man rotation but now face a decision on right-hander Dustin May’s roster status. May returned to a full-time starting role for the first time in two seasons and has struggled. On Sunday against the Boston Red Sox, May allowed four runs in five innings of work, and he entered the start with an ERA of 4.73. May’s name has surfaced in trade rumors, and he is a candidate to potentially be moved to the bullpen. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
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