Sophie Cunningham Responds to Caitlin Clark Bullies After Devastating Injury

After leaving college for the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has made a few close friends. Indiana Fever teammates Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham, Kelsey Mitchell, Sydney Colson, Aliyah Boston, and former teammate Katie Lou Samuelson are some of those she leans on.

It is a hard adjustment for any women’s basketball player who becomes a professional athlete after spending at least 4 years in college. Most of them spent those years with the same teammates and coaching staff.

College gives them stability that is not present in the WNBA. Clark has seen the Fever front office break up the team she had started building trust in, and replace them with a new set of players whom she again has to build trust in.

She really started to trust Sophie Cunningham after she manhandled Jacy Sheldon during that feisty clash against the Connecticut Sun. That shove and grab behind the neck was proof that the recently turned 29-year-old was going to defend her younger teammate.

Since that incident, Cunningham has grown in popularity, and endorsement brands have lined up to sign her. It’s not that she suddenly started behaving that way. Instead, as she wrote on X, it was something that she learned over the years.

Some of us were raised by the words of “don’t bite off more than you can chew” and some of us didn’t. “fafo”.

Sophie Cunningham wrote on X

… some of us were raised by the words of “don’t bite off more than you can chew” and some of us didn’t. “fafo”😘 https://t.co/LOMzvqV8rr

— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) August 19, 2025

With this reply to a video showing her showdown with Sheldon, Sophie Cunningham was suggesting that players would find out if they were to bully Caitlin Clark. A warning that the 23-year-old’s bullies would find it difficult to treat her like that again.

Sophie Cunningham waiting for MRI to confirm injury severity

Caitlin Clark is slowly ramping up her recovery as she looks to return to the court sometime this season. But she does not know if she will be playing alongside Sophie Cunningham.

The 23-year-old is already without both of her backups after their injuries ended their season. Now, Cunningham is awaiting the results of her MRI after suffering a painful knee injury.

She had to be helped off the court. Initially, it felt as if the Fever lost her for the season. But she was all smiles after the team recovered to stage a stunning comeback win.

Hopefully, for the Fever, the 29-year-old’s smile does not fade, and she continues to play. Without her, the team will be short-handed both in terms of scoring as well as perimeter defense. If the team is to continue with their goals of performing well in the playoffs, they need one of their most experienced playoff performers on the court.

Without her, there is a risk that the Indiana Fever might also slide out of playoff contention. Teams behind them are in better form and have healthier rosters to lean on.

That could be the deciding factor when the final few weeks of WNBA basketball come to a close. The Fever have 9 games left to secure a second consecutive postseason berth.

Fever might not shut down Caitlin Clark

Sophie Cunningham’s injury status will have a major impact on the Indiana Fever’s ability to stay in the playoff race. At the same time, Caitlin Clark has ramped up her recovery.

Even though both the 23-year-old and her medical staff are taking it easy, head coach Stephanie White hopes the point guard can return at some point in the season.

Stephanie White asked if she anticipates Caitlin Clark will return before the end of the regular season: “That’s the hope. The hope is that she’s back.”

— Tony East (@TonyREast) August 17, 2025

It is not clear when she is expected to return, but it has to be at least a few games before the regular season ends. Otherwise, she would not have enough time to build her game rhythm, as well as her chemistry with her teammates.

One look at their schedule, and it seems the September 5th home clash against the lowly Chicago Sky should be a good time for Clark to step back onto the court. From then on, their remaining two games should be enough to get her back to her best.

Also Read:

• Sophie Cunningham Risks Another Fine After Blasting Refs Over Paige Bueckers Favoritism
• Caitlin Clark Rejoices With ‘Swifties’ After Taylor Swift’s Podcast Debut Crashes YouTube Servers