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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told her mom to delete a post on social media slamming Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley as a “disgruntled player” after Cunningham suffered a season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s game.
The Fever announced Tuesday that Cunningham would miss the remainder of the season after she suffered a right knee injury when Hartley fell into her leg in the second quarter of Indiana’s 99-93 overtime win over the Sun.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) is injured on a play against Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley (14) in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on Aug. 17, 2025. (David Butler II/ Imagn Images)
Cunningham’s mom, Paula, took to social media after the injury to call out Hartley in a since-deleted post on X.
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“Hartley is a disgruntled player having trouble everywhere she goes; she’s plain mean and plays out of control.”
But Cunningham revealed in her podcast, “Show Me Something,” that she told her mom to delete the post, adding that she and Hartley are good friends.
“There was no ill intent. I think it was a basketball play. I was just in the wrong spot at the wrong time; she fell,” Cunningham said. “There’s no way she would go in there and intentionally try to hurt me. I have nothing but love for Bria, and I even told my mom, because she tweeted something, I was like, ‘No, mom! I get it, but I promise you that Bria and I are super cool and she would never try to hurt me.’”
Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley (14) dribbles the ball during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena on Aug. 10, 2025. (Lucas Peltier/ Imagn Images)
FEVER STAR SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM TO MISS REMAINDER OF 2025 WNBA SEASON WITH RIGHT KNEE INJURY
Cunningham continued, “There are some girls that I think might, but she wouldn’t do that. I have nothing but love, and I hope people stop giving Bria some heat because I don’t think she meant to do that at all.”
Cunningham also confirmed in her podcast that she suffered an MCL tear and will undergo surgery in the coming days.
“I did tear my MCL, and if you’re going to hurt your knee, that is the best possible case.”
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. (David Butler II/Imagn Images)
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The Fever have been riddled with injuries this season, losing star guard Caitlin Clark for the majority of the regular season. Guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald were also sidelined earlier this month with a torn ACL and a broken foot bone, respectively.
“This year, just as a whole – I think the league as a whole, but really us – we’ve just gone through so much adversity and injury-wise it’s just been – like you can’t make this s— up,” Cunningham said.
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