Indiana’s season just went from bad to worse. Stephanie White’s locker room has been plagued by injuries this year, and they have been major ones at that. The first name on the injury report this year was their biggest star, Caitlin Clark, and the rest of the backcourt promptly followed. It seems like the curse is bound to continue, as fan-favorite Sophie Cunningham also sustained an injury during Sunday’s Fever vs Sun fixture.

The game started with a bang for the Indiana Fever guard, as she got into a fight with number 47 on the Connecticut Sun just a few minutes into the game. Lacan pressured Cunningham, who fell and ended up kicking her while hustling for the ball. While Indiana’s enforcer ended up with a technical, this scuffle looked like a sign of things to come for the six-foot-one guard.

In the second quarter, things took a turn for the worse. Bria Hartley went in for a layup, lost her balance, and ended up falling on Sophie Cunningham’s lower limb. It didn’t look like anything significant on the replay, but when Cunningham fell to the floor while clutching her knee, Stephanie White was treated to a familiar sight.

As sad as it is, backcourt injuries are happening like clockwork for the Indiana Fever and their head coach. Sophie Cunningham is number 4 on the list after Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald, and Sydney Colson. If this injury proves serious, Indiana would have to deal with more hardship contracts and injury signings, making the situation significantly more intense.

As it stands right now, Cunningham’s injury has put Indiana on the back foot against the rest of the league. The team, even after losing CC and two other guards, was in the battle for a playoff spot. However, the future seems bleak for Indiana after Cunningham’s injury. What do the fans have to say after this unfortunate incident?

WNBA community reacts to Sophie Cunningham’s injury against the Sun

Injuries are nothing new for the Indiana Fever, but there seems to be a grim pattern forming against the Connecticut Sun. Or, to put it simply, players are getting injured repeatedly in this rivalry. After all, Caitlin Clark’s bilateral groin injury happened against the Sun a month ago. That one incident set the team back by weeks, if not months, and now? The Sun just ruined any chances that Indiana might’ve had to make the playoffs, according to the fans.

Social media, as expected, went wild during the Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun game. No one expected another major injury in Indiana’s 2025 campaign, but some things are not in anyone’s control. “Yep… Season’s over… Looks like Sophie might have ruptured her patella tendon…” A fan said on X, pointing out that the injury could be pretty severe and cost her upwards of 3 months. It was a common sentiment among fans who were watching the game live. “The injury on Sophie Cunningham looks pretty bad. It looks right her right knee bent backward a little.” Another said, concerned.

Many supporters were upset with Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA over the officiating. “@WNBA maybe you should focus less on fining players for commenting on your poor officiating & more about hiring officials that can call a consistent game and protect your athletes. Pathetic. Praying for you.” Her sister Lindsay said, addressing their prayers to her family. And it was more than one fan!

Iowa reporter Andy Froemel had his fair share of words about this situation. “Praying for Sophie. The WNBA protects their chosen players while letting everyone on the Fever get mauled, then fining Sophie for speaking the truth.” He said, and honestly? We agree! The fines that the six-foot-one guard receives are outrageous at times, and the whistle can be biased at times.

Fans are not holding back in criticizing the refs and the league. “Maybe if the @WNBA refs could learn how to officiate, multiple players wouldn’t be getting injured.” Call-outs are a pretty standard place for the WNBA, but the frequency is rising slowly but surely. Every week, some coach or another has complaints about the league’s officiating, and it’s only getting worse.

It will be interesting to see how Cathy Engelbert addresses the complaints and whether any meaningful action will be taken this season. Meanwhile, Indiana finds itself in a difficult position. Despite Stephanie White’s team pulling off a win, there’s little time to celebrate. Cox and Krauskopf have some critical decisions to make—and they’ll need to act quickly.