In the high-stakes world of the WNBA, where every crossover and fast break can turn the tide, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham knows all about resilience. Just two weeks ago, on September 2, the 29-year-old Australian sharpshooter lit up social media with a video that captured her unyielding spirit: dancing in a tiny bikini, knee brace strapped on, lip-syncing to Reneé Rapp’s “I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone.” “Starting to feel like me again, so y’all better watch tf out,” she captioned the clip, a playful nod to her ongoing recovery from a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her right knee.
The injury struck like a thunderbolt on August 17, during a gritty win over the Connecticut Sun. Sliding baseline to contest a drive, Cunningham collided with Sun guard Bria Hartley, her knee buckling under the impact. She crumpled to the floor, clutching her leg in agony, as trainers rushed to her side. The diagnosis? A season-ending MCL tear, confirmed by MRI the next
in Surgery followed swiftly on August 22, with doctors estimating a four-month rehab timeline—putting her back on the court for the 2026 opener.<grok:render card_id=”fa5f7e” card_type=”citation_card”
For Cunningham, it was a cruel twist in a Fever season already battered by injuries. The third guard sidelined—Caitlin Clark nursing a groin strain, Sydney Colson out with a foot issue, Aari McDonald sidelined by an ACL tear—the team has limped through a campaign far below expectations.<grok:render card_id=”1bdfb7″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
Yet, in a podcast appearance days after the injury, Cunningham exuded optimism. “There was no ill intent… so I hope people stop giving Bria some heat,” she said, defending Hartley while sharing her
Off the court, Cunningham’s fire hasn’t dimmed. A University of Missouri alum and 2019 draft pick, she’s no stranger to adversity—her college career was marked by buzzer-beaters and unbreakable grit. This season, in 30 games, she averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and lit up from deep at 43.2%, helping the Fever snag the Commissioner’s Cup
ow, as an unrestricted free agent, whispers of her return to Indiana swirl, fueled by her loyalty and fan adoration.
From her hospital bed selfie pre-surgery to that bikini groove, Cunningham’s journey screams defiance. “Is it always this stressful being a fan?” she tweeted on August 29, fidgeting from the sidelines, heart racing with every Fever play.
But stress? That’s just fuel. As rehab ramps up—pool sessions, strength drills, and those signature dances—Sophie is rewriting her narrative. Not as a victim of bad luck, but as the comeback kid ready to dazzle again. The WNBA’s toughest? Watch her soar.
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