Sophie Cunningham suffers in silence: “Brutal” therapy to get back on court

Right now, Sophie Cunningham isn’t on the court—but she’s still in the game. Since injuring the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her right knee on August 17, the Indiana Fever player has entered a rehab process that goes far beyond the physical. She’s shared it openly with her followers, showing both her strength and her vulnerability.

In a recent Instagram video, Sophie Cunningham revealed part of the treatment she’s receiving: functional electrical stimulation (FES), a therapy designed to reactivate weakened or paralyzed muscles through electric impulses. The word she used to describe it was blunt: “Brutal.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, this kind of therapy can cause intense pain, as it forces muscles to contract artificially, producing a sensation similar to an electric shock.

Still showing up for her team

According to Sportskeeda, Sophie Cunningham keeps her fans updated through her podcast “Show Me Something.” It’s through that platform that she shares insights into her physical and emotional state. Despite the pain, she continues to travel with the team and support her teammates through every step of the playoffs. In Game 3 against the Atlanta Dream, she was seen wearing a brace from thigh to shin, walking with a slight limp but showing no visible discomfort.

Sophie Cunningham on the Fever advancing to the semifinals “The League is so mad that we won, because we are literally not supposed to be here at all, and that just fuels our fire even more.” pic.twitter.com/4WaJKUf4B8

— CaitlinFor3 (@CaitlinForThree) September 20, 2025

What fans don’t see during games is what Sophie Cunningham is battling behind the scenes. Painful therapy sessions, uncertainty about her return, and an internal struggle to stay connected to the team. Yet her voice remains part of Indiana Fever’s emotional engine. After the surprising win over Atlanta, Cunningham said on her podcast. “The league is mad because we weren’t supposed to be here”—a line that captures the team’s defiant spirit.

With key players like Caitlin Clark, Sydney Colson, and Aari McDonald also sidelined by injuries. Indiana Fever has defied expectations and reached the semifinals. Sophie Cunningham can’t play, but her presence is just as vital as any point scored. In the WNBA, value is often measured in stats—but she’s proving hers through pain, conviction, and commitment.