The Indiana Fever opened the 2025 WNBA season with a statement win, defeating Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky 93-58 behind a triple-double from Caitlin Clark. But as the Fever builds off their first playoff appearance since 2016, they’ve done so without one of their most experienced offseason additions: Sophie Cunningham.
Cunningham has been sidelined since suffering a right ankle sprain during Indiana’s final preseason game on May 10. The 6-foot-1 guard landed on an opposing player’s foot while fighting for a rebound against the Atlanta Dream, exiting the game and later being spotted in a walking boot.
She was held out of the May 17 season opener. The team described her recovery as “day-to-day,” head coach Stephanie White emphasized a cautious, long-term approach to her return.
Progress Shown in Monday’s Practice Appearance
poses for a photo Wednesday, April 30, 2025, during the Indiana Fever media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Positive development occurred on Monday. Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star posted a video on X showing Cunningham participating in the open portion of practice. She was seen taking three-point shots and making passes alongside teammates, showing no visible signs of discomfort or limitation in her right ankle. This marked her first on-court activity since the injury and is a promising sign that she could be nearing a return to game action.
Speaking before the opener, White addressed the team’s approach to Cunningham’s recovery.
“It’s a long season, so we want to make sure we’re making the best long-term decisions when it comes to her health and wellness and her ability to produce for our team,” White said on May 16. She added, “Every 24 hours, she continues to make great progress.”
Cunningham has also maintained a light-hearted and energetic presence around the team. During a recent media session ahead of the opener, she joked, “Put me in, coach, I’m ready to play—today!” illustrating both her optimism and eagerness to return.
Sophie Cunningham’s Role and Indiana Fever’s Outlook
Acquired in January as part of a four-team trade, Cunningham is expected to play a key role in Indiana’s backcourt. Known for her defensive grit and perimeter shooting, she averaged a career-best 12.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 2022 with the Phoenix Mercury, shooting 40% from three-point range. Last season, Cunningham averaged 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 42.9% from the field, 37.8% from three-point range, and 87.0% from the free-throw line.
In her Fever preseason debut, Cunningham scored a team-high 21 points in an overtime win against the Washington Mystics, showcasing the offensive punch Indiana hoped to add.
The Fever’s offseason strategy prioritized experience and defensive improvement, with Cunningham joining fellow veterans DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard. Her eventual return would boost Indiana’s perimeter defense and three-point spacing—two areas of emphasis as the Fever look to climb the Eastern Conference standings.
Indiana finished 2024 with a 20-20 record and a first-round playoff loss to the Connecticut Sun. With the addition of Clark and a deeper, more balanced roster, the goal this season is to go further.
The Fever face the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, May 20, and again on May 22 in a home-and-home set. While Cunningham’s official status remains day-to-day, her return to practice signals she may be nearing her season debut.
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