Sophie Cunningham Defends Bria Hartley’s Intent in Season-Ending Injury

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham injured her right knee after Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley fell on her leg.

Sophie Cunningham Defends Bria Hartley’s Intent in Season-Ending Injury

Sophie Cunningham clears Bria Hartley of ill intent (Image via FirstSportz)

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After Sophie Cunningham hurt her right knee, a section of fans pointed the blame at the Connecticut Sun’s Bria Hartley. They claimed she intentionally fell on the Fever guard’s knee.

The fact was exacerbated after Cunningham’s mother wrote a tweet suggesting the Sun guard plays recklessly and blamed the WNBA for not reigning her in. Eventually, she deleted the tweet, but the damage had already been done.

On top of that, a picture appeared showing the Sun guard allegedly smiling while Cunningham was seen writhing in pain. This added to the furor as fans claimed Hartley had ill intent.

Earlier, the Indiana Fever announced that their star guard tore her MCL and was out for the season. This led to some more brickbats being thrown in the Sun guard’s direction.

Soon after the official announcement, Sophie Cunningham took to her podcast, Show Me Something, where she confirmed the injury. Then she said this about Bria Hartley’s intent.

I’m actually really good friends with Bria. There’s no ill intent. It was a basketball play. I was in the wrong spot at the wrong time. She fell. There is no way that she would go and intentionally try to hurt me. I have nothing but love for Bria.

Sophie Cunningham said

The recently turned 29-year-old added that she reassured her mother that her former Phoenix Mercury teammate would not intentionally try to hurt her. She then asked her mother to delete her tweet.

However, the Fever guard did admit that there might be others who have ill intent on their minds. But at the same time, she was sure that Hartley would not do that to her.

Sophie Cunningham talks about the Fever birthday curse

Cunningham celebrated her birthday on August 16th. She injured her knee on the following day. The Missouri native believes this was a continuation of the Fever’s birthday curse.

Sydney has her birthday the next day we played she completely tore her ACL and everything. It was my birthday we played the next day, and then I hurt my knee.

Sophie Cunningham said

She has a point, as Sydney Colson tore her ACL in the game that was on the day after her birthday. Cunningham also revealed that the team looked at the upcoming birthdays and were wondering if they should field those players.

Natasha Howard‘s birthday is on September 2nd, and they play that same night. If they were to reach the playoffs, Lexie Hull (Sept. 13th) and Mikayla Timpson (Sept. 20th) are next.

Many athletes are superstitious and are wary of doing anything that they are not sure of. However, it depends on whether the team wants to follow this superstition and make changes to protect its players.

Sophie Cunningham got her joy back with the Fever

Sophie Cunningham will soon undergo surgery and will start her recovery. The expectation is that she will recover in time ahead of next season. This also means that she will be with the Fever organization for most of her recovery process.

Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark having fun at a game
Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark having fun at a game (Image via Grace Smith/X)

I’m just thankful to be where I’m at and be with the organization and the girls that I’m with. Because they have brought life and my love of basketball back. I really am in good spirits.

Sophie Cunningham said

Cunningham saying this reveals a lot about what she has experienced with the Indiana Fever. Her previous organization, the Phoenix Mercury, has been mired in many controversies.

One such controversy followed her, too, but Cunningham shot it down and distanced herself from the mess. It seems as if the Fever players and staff helped her find her own place, which is probably why she is in good spirits.

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