The Indiana Fever received encouraging updates after MRI scans for Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson showed no long-term injuries, coach Stephanie White reported following Sunday’s practice. These developments provide some hope amid ongoing roster difficulties, though it remains uncertain if either player will be ready for the Fever’s upcoming game against the Washington Mystics on Tuesday. The focus remains on their individual recovery progress.

Details of Injuries Sustained in Recent Game

Both players left Friday’s narrow 85-83 defeat to the Connecticut Sun with injuries. Colson injured her upper left leg while Cunningham suffered a right ankle injury. The incidents came under different circumstances: with just under two minutes into the first quarter, Colson lost possession while driving right, and Sun guard Jacy Sheldon inadvertently rolled up on Colson’s leg while diving for the ball. Colson remained on the floor momentarily before being helped off the court.

Later in the fourth quarter, Cunningham experienced a painful ankle roll after an off-ball screen attempt involving Kelsey Mitchell was disrupted by Sheldon. This injury affected the same ankle Cunningham had hurt during the preseason, which had already sidelined her for the first two regular-season games. She required assistance to leave the court and did not return for the remainder of the game.

Coach White Reflects on the Impact of Injuries

Coach White described the loss of Colson as a significant blow to the team’s offensive strategy, saying,

“I think we got good news from both of their MRIs, as good of news as you can get,”

White said.

“And so right now, it’s a day-to-day thing. We’re looking forward to hopefully them returning at some point sooner rather than later, but at the same time, it’s how each of them progresses in their rehab.”

The absence of Colson, who took on starting point guard responsibilities after Caitlin Clark’s injury, forced adjustments during the game.

“It affected us in the second quarter, no doubt,”

White admitted.

“Not having another primary ballhandler… it kind of punched us in the gut for a little while. But the reality is this stuff happens. We’ve seen it time and time again in our league. We can’t take two and a half quarters to figure it out.”

Roster Depth Concerns Amid Multiple Injuries

With Caitlin Clark sidelined due to a left quad injury and expected to miss games until at least June 10, the Fever currently operate with only eight healthy players. The team is considering signing a replacement player to maintain competitive depth for the upcoming matchup against the Mystics. Clark’s injury timeline already poses a major challenge, and the potential of Cunningham and Colson joining her on the sideline could complicate the Fever’s plans and diminish their on-court options significantly.

Colson’s Role and Experience on the Team

Sydney Colson, who made her WNBA debut in 2011, was brought into the Fever via free agency this past offseason primarily for her veteran experience. Initially, she saw limited minutes in the first four games but stepped into the starting point guard role once Clark went down. Her presence on the court has been vital, particularly in directing offense and communicating play strategies. White highlighted Colson’s leadership qualities, stating,

“She is in every huddle that we have, whether she’s on the floor or not. She sees things from that point guard position. And getting us into offense. It’s gonna look different without the ball in Caitlin’s hands. What are our looks, who can we get our looks for? And then the ability to communicate that to everybody in live action. That’s the piece that we’re still growing with. We can’t call a timeout every time to get a matchup or recognize a switch, so she can help us with that on the floor.”

—Stephanie White, Indiana Fever Head Coach

Cunningham’s Limited Opportunities and Injury Impact

Sophie Cunningham, seen as another option to help run the offense during Clark’s absence, struggled to make an impact before her injury on Friday. After setting an off-ball screen in the fourth quarter, her ankle gave way, forcing her out of the game. Cunningham’s injury history this season has already been challenging, and this setback adds to the team’s difficulties attempting to find stability without their key playmaker.

Outlook for the Fever in the Coming Weeks

The Fever began the season with a 2-4 record and have gone 0-2 without Clark’s contributions. The team faces a critical stretch as they await the recovery of their injured players. Clark’s earliest return is projected to be on June 10 against the Atlanta Dream, but if Cunningham and Colson are unable to return before then, the Fever’s competitive outlook could worsen. The team’s depth and ability to adapt under these circumstances will likely determine their ability to stay in contention as the season progresses.