Head coach Stephanie White stated after the game that there was no further medical update but confirmed an MRI is scheduled. White described the moment, saying, “Especially the way that she fell and how she was holding herself and how much pain she was in, at the time it’s like, ‘crap.’ And then you go down there, you see her and it’s like OK, I just want her to calm down and be able to regroup. And then it turns to problem solving, right? How do we put ourselves in a position to win? I think that’s maybe how I survive is going straight to problem solving. But this group, they’re special and I’m thankful for them.”
The injury comes at a critical time for the Fever, who are already missing key players. Star guard Caitlin Clark remains sidelined with a groin injury, and guards Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson are out for the season. The team recently signed Odyssey Sims to a hardship contract to help fill roster gaps.
Cunningham’s family voiced frustration on social media, criticizing WNBA officiating for not protecting athletes. Her sister Lindsey posted on X (formerly Twitter): “@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.” This echoed growing concerns about officiating consistency and player safety across the league.
Despite the setback, Indiana secured an emotional comeback win, led by Kelsey Mitchell’s standout performance. The team now faces a four-day break before their next game against the Minnesota Lynx on August 22, providing crucial recovery time for the depleted roster. Cunningham’s status for the upcoming game remains uncertain, pending the results of her MRI.
The injury to Cunningham underscores the Fever’s ongoing battle with injuries this season, testing the team’s depth and resilience as they fight for playoff positioning.