Mizzou WBB Alum Suffers Leg Injury in Fever-Sun Game

An awkward collision led the former Mizzou star to head to the locker room in the third quarter.

Aug 17, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) on the court injured as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Missouri women's basketball alum and current Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham suffered a lower-leg injury at the 8:13 mark in the second quarter of the Fever's contest against the Connecticut Sun, sending her to the locker room for the remainder of the game.

Fever head coach Stephanie White had no update to provide on Cunningham's status following the game, but she's scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, per Scott Agness.

Sophie Cunningham heads to the locker room after this Hartley pass and crash on her right leg. Oh my god 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZTTPYnhkTs

— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) August 17, 2025

Cunningham slid to the block on a help-defense rotation to contest the pass from Bria Hartley, who then collided with Cunningham's lower leg. Cunningham immediately reacted to the pain, hobbling for a brief moment before then collapsing to the ground and eventually being helped off the court.

Cunningham had played 10 minutes and logged one rebound before her exit. The Fever would go on to mount a 21-point comeback led by Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and Odyssey Sims, winning 99-93.

Cunningham reposted a social media post made by her sister, Lindsey, who gave her thoughts on the situation.

.@WNBA maybe you should focus less on fining players for commenting on your poor officiating & more about hiring officials that are able to call a consistent game and protect your athletes. Pathetic. Praying for you .@sophaller 🙏🏼❤️

— Lindsey Cunningham (@Lbreezzyy) August 17, 2025

The portion of the statement about the poor officiating is in reference to Sophie being fined twice for comments she made on recent episodes of her Show Me Something" podcast, criticizing the league's officiating for what she believed to be special treatment for first-overall pick Paige Bueckers.

"I love Paige to death, do not get me wrong. I think she's a hell of a player and would love to play with her one day, but those refs were giving her every freaking whistle last night. Like, you literally couldn't touch her. And that [explicit] is so annoying to me," Cunningham said. "If you're gonna do that, then give it to our guards. Like, I just hate the inconsistency."

Cunningham continued expressing her frustrations.

"We know she's a good rookie, and she's gonna get some whistles, but to get the treatment she got last night was crazy," Cunningham said.

Officiating aside, the Fever have been plagued by injuries this season. Caitlin Clark has missed 13 straight games, has missed 22 on the year and is only adding to that total due to battling a groin injury. Sydney Colson (torn left ACL) and Aari McDonald (broken right foot) have both been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season, following injuries suffered in early August.

Cunningham has been a steady presence for the Fever during her first season in Indiana, averaging 8.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1 steal per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and a blistering 44.3 percent from 3-point range.

As the Fever are trying to secure a playoff spot, Cunningham's return will be highly anticipated. The type and severity of her injury along with her return date are currently unknown.

This story will be updated as more information is learned.