The playoff chase in the 2025 WNBA season is heating up, and every game matters as teams fight to keep their postseason dreams alive. With Washington, Connecticut, Chicago, and Dallas already eliminated from contention, all eyes are now on the Indiana Fever, who sit at 21-20Â and are clinging to their hopes of clinching a playoff spot.
But in the middle of this tense battle, the Fever were dealt a major blow when guard Sophie Cunningham went down with a knee injury. Now, Cunningham herself has finally offered fans a glimpse into when she could be back on the court.
Sophie Cunningham Expects to Be Back on the Court by Early Next Year
In the latest episode of the “Show Me Something Sophie Cunningham & West Wilson” podcast, Cunningham opened up about her rehab process and hinted at a possible return timeline.
“Well, they say like four months. Yeah, they say like four months. I’d say like January, February, but I feel like I am not trying to say anything, but I think I heal quicker and recover quite fast. And so maybe a tab of four, but oh my god,” said Cunningham during the podcast.
The injury occurred on Aug. 17 in a game in which Indiana defeated the Connecticut Sun in overtime (99-93).
Early in the second quarter, Cunningham was battling on defense when Sun guard Bria Hartley drove aggressively to the rim. As Cunningham stepped in to contest, Hartley’s momentum carried her into Cunningham’s right leg, twisting the guard’s knee awkwardly.
Cunningham immediately collapsed and clutched her leg in pain while teammates and medical staff rushed to her side. She was unable to return and finished the game with just a single rebound.
Sophie Cunningham won’t return to the game due to a knee injury 🥺 pic.twitter.com/xyAC3181Y3
— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) August 17, 2025
Shortly after, the Fever announced via X that Cunningham had suffered an MCL injury and would miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Sophie Cunningham will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an injury during our game at Connecticut on Sunday.
in a corresponding move, we have signed guard Shey Peddy to a 7-day hardship contract and released Kyra Lambert.
more info: https://t.co/pazNkkdbG3 pic.twitter.com/vZUNcQc2Dx
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 19, 2025
On a positive note, Cunningham’s recovery appears to be progressing well. In fact, fans were recently treated to a viral video of the Fever guard dancing confidently to Renee Rapp’s “I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone,” song in a bikini while wearing her knee brace.
Sophie Cunningham still making Tik Toks in a bikini and a knee brace. She unstoppable 😂pic.twitter.com/R1pPM8Ojzd
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) September 2, 2025
Now coming back to the Fever, their most recent setback came against the Phoenix Mercury on Sept. 2. The Fever fell behind early and trailed by 15 points at halftime. Despite showing fight in the fourth quarter with a 22-point surge, Indiana could not overcome the deficit and lost (85-79).
Still, despite recent struggles, hope isn’t lost for the Fever. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index continues to back Indiana as a strong postseason candidate, and the rating suggests that the Fever has a 97.4%Â probability of making the playoffs.
For now, the Fever must regroup quickly as they prepare for their next matchup against the Chicago Sky on Sept. 5.
