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Sophie Cunningham Provides Status Update for Next Game Amid Caitlin Clark's Absence

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 5:19 PM ET

The Indiana Fever are just 4-5 to start the 2025 WNBA season but they’ve only been at full strength for two games. Guard Sophie Cunningham injured her ankle in the team’s final preseason game, causing her to miss the first two regular-season contests.

Then, star Caitlin Clark suffered a left quadriceps strain in Game 4. And in Game 6, Cunningham re-aggravated her ankle. Both she and Clark have yet to return to the lineup.

On Monday, Fever head coach Stephanie White made it clear the team won't rush either player back, and they have begun "ramping back up."

On Thursday, the team held practice, and both Clark and Cunningham participated in the portion open to the media. That’s a good sign, but it raises the question of whether they’ll be ready for Saturday’s home game against the defending WNBA champions, the New York Liberty.

White said, "We limited their reps," and reiterated they are in the ramping-up period.

While Clark didn't speak to the media and her status remains uncertain for Saturday, Cunningham shared an update, saying she's trying to get the all clear to play against the Liberty.

"I'm feeling really good," Cunningham said. "I think I'm just trying to get full clearance for Saturday, but so far so good."

Sophie Cunningham on her injury: “I’ve been feeling really good, just trying to get full clearance for Saturday.”

She has been practicing, but the medical staff will make the final decision on her status for this weekend.

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— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 12, 2025

Cunningham was also asked how tough it has been to recover from one injury and then get hurt again almost immediately after returning.

"You have no idea," Cunningham said. "I felt good coming into training camp. I felt like I was in the best shape I've been in since being in the league. Kind of getting the flow of the team, and then you get hurt pretty bad, torn up ankle. Maybe came back a little bit too soon, freak accident, so really can't control it, so I just got to keep controlling what I can control. And that was bringing energy to my team, so I'm still going to do that regardless of where I'm at."

The seventh-year guard admitted she's been "progressing really well every single day."

"In the situation I have going on, you have to be a little bit careful with it, but I think I've been progressing really well every single day, and I'm pretty much full go now," Cunningham said.

Cunningham was drafted No. 13 overall in 2019 by the Phoenix Mercury. She then played six seasons there before being traded to the Fever this past offseason.

In four games played this season, she's averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

The Fever host the Liberty at 3 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC.

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

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