Sophie Cunningham with her arms outstretchedSophie Cunningham (Grace Hollars/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Sophie Cunningham suffered a frustrating injury early on Sunday during the Indiana Fever’s win over the Connecticut Sun.

In the second quarter, Sophie Cunningham was forced to exit the game when Sun player Bria Hartley fell awkwardly into her. Cunningham was standing under the basket playing defense while driving, Sun guard Bria Hartley fell into her lower left leg after making a pass.

The Indiana Fever guard, who could be seen yelling in pain, had to be helped to her feet and was later ruled out of the game.

A damning picture would soon emerge of Hartley with the biggest smile on her face as Cunningham was writhing in pain.

The 29-year-old, who recently celebrated a birthday, will have to wait until the 2026 season to play again after that devastating injury.

After Sophie Cunningham suffered a torn MCL ligament in her knee, she decided to break her silence on Sun veteran Bria Hartley falling and crashing into herSophie Cunningham in uniform

Sophie Cunningham (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Cunningham said she’s “really in good spirits” after confirming she suffered a season-ending MCL tear in her right knee in Sunday’s overtime win over the Sun.

During Tuesday’s “Show Me Something” podcast, the Fever guard recalled what happened when she heard a pop in her knee following that collision in the second quarter at Mohegan Sun Arena, where Indiana beat Connecticut, 99-93.

In the midst of doing that, Sophie Cunningham also shut down the narrative making rounds on social media that Hartley purposely injured her on a dirty play.

“No, I don’t, because I know Bria and I’m actually really good friends with Bria, and I have been waiting to get on the pod so we could talk about this because I didn’t want to tweet it out,” Cunningham said.

“I think that there was no ill intent. I think that it was a basketball play. I was just in the wrong spot at the wrong time. She fell. Like, there’s no way that she would go in there and potentially try to hurt me, and so I have nothing but love for Bria.”

Cunningham stated he told her mother to take down a tweet that was critical of Hartley.

When the subject of Hartley’s face in the photo came up, Cunningham added, “And I think that smile, it wasn’t like a [happy smile], it was like a [grimace]. One of those. So I’m totally fine [with Hartley]. It’s whatever.”

Cunningham said she will have surgery Friday, and recovery will take four months. The Fever are sixth in league standings with nine games remaining. This season has been turbulent for Indiana as they have multiple layers dealing with injuries, and now Cunningham joins Caitlin Clark on the sidelines.