During a recent game on August 1, 2025, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham suffered a season-ending injury following a collision with Connecticut Sun’s Bria Hartley. Despite the intense backlash and calls from fans demanding Hartley’s suspension, Cunningham publicly defended Hartley, emphasizing there was no intentional harm involved. Cunningham’s stance sparked controversy, especially given ongoing frustrations over multiple season-ending injuries within the Fever roster.
Family Divisions Emerge Over the Incident
The situation became more complex as Cunningham’s defense of Hartley diverged sharply from the views of her own family. Her sister, Lindsey Cunningham, urged the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA to take stronger measures to safeguard players from dangerous plays, expressing dissatisfaction with how the league manages such incidents. Meanwhile, their mother had initially posted a critical message labeling Hartley as “plain mean,” a tweet she later deleted after Sophie asked her to do so. This familial rift highlighted the emotional strain the incident caused.
Cunningham Describes Friendship and Rejects Intentional Harm Claims
Sophie Cunningham clarified her relationship with Hartley, stating they are friends and that Hartley would never deliberately injure her. She explained the incident as a typical “basketball play” where she simply ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cunningham said she even intervened when her mother’s comment became public, demonstrating her commitment to protecting Hartley’s reputation.
“I know Bria, and I’m actually really good friends with Bria,”
Cunningham said.
“I think it was just a basketball play, I was in the wrong spot at the wrong time, she fell. There’s no way she would intentionally try to hurt me. I have nothing but love for Bria. Bria and I are super cool. She would never try to hurt me. There are some girls that might, but she would never do that.”
—Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever guard
Injuries Pile Up for Indiana Fever, Increasing Emotional Tension
Cunningham’s injury marked the third season-ending setback for the Fever within a brief period. Earlier in the season, Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald both suffered similar injuries in a game against the Phoenix Mercury. These consecutive losses have amplified the pressure on the Fever and fueled fan frustration, who see the “basketball play” explanation as insufficient given the severity and frequency of injuries. Cunningham addressed Hartley’s post–collision expression, asserting it was a grimace rather than a smile, reinforcing her stance that no ill intent was present.
“It wasn’t a happy smile, it was a grimace. I’m totally fine with Bria. It’s whatever.”
—Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever guard
Fan Reactions Suggest a Possible PR Influence on Cunningham’s Statement
Despite Cunningham’s assurances, many Fever fans remain unconvinced, suspecting the league influenced her public remarks to avoid greater penalties against Hartley or to curtail further fines. Some supporters have accused the WNBA of pressuring Cunningham to instruct her mother to remove critical social media comments, fueling speculation that the league prioritized managing public relations over addressing player safety. These accusations underscore a climate of mistrust and dissatisfaction among the Fever’s fan base.
“We all know what we saw. The league made Sophie have her mom delete that tweet,”
a fan accused on social media. Another wrote,
“Maybe she’s avoiding more fines. Idk.”
Broader Implications for Player Safety in the WNBA
The controversy surrounding the Cunningham-Hartley collision highlights ongoing concerns about player safety in the WNBA. With multiple key wrestlers sidelined by serious injuries, questions about the league’s protocols and responses to aggressive plays have intensified. This incident, coupled with divided personal loyalties and public scrutiny, underscores the difficult balance players must navigate between competition, friendship, and long-term health. The outcome of this situation may influence future disciplinary approaches and the WNBA’s handling of on-court conduct.