Veteran guard Sophie Cunningham returns to Indiana Fever

Cunningham signs one-year deal after strong first season with Fever

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:39pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a WNBA basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, gold, purple, and orange representing the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury players and action on the court.A cubist interpretation of the on-court action as veteran guard Sophie Cunningham returns to the Indiana Fever, bringing her sharpshooting skills and veteran leadership to the team.Indianapolis Today

Veteran WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham has agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Indiana Fever for the 2026 season. Cunningham, 29, averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 30 games (13 starts) for the Fever in 2025 before suffering a season-ending MCL tear in her right knee.

Why it matters

Cunningham's return is a big boost for the Fever, who are looking to build on the progress they made last season despite dealing with significant injuries. As one of the league's top 3-point shooters, Cunningham's presence will be crucial in helping the team compete in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.

The details

The 6-foot-1 Cunningham made a career-high 43.2% of her 3-point attempts in 2025, the third-best accuracy rate in the WNBA. She spent her first six professional seasons with the Phoenix Mercury before being traded to the Fever prior to last season.

  • Cunningham signed a one-year deal with the Fever on April 12, 2026.
  • She suffered a season-ending MCL tear in her right knee during the 2025 season.

The players

Sophie Cunningham

A 29-year-old veteran guard who has spent the majority of her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury before being traded to the Indiana Fever prior to the 2025 season.

Amber Cox

The general manager of the Indiana Fever, who expressed excitement about Cunningham's return and commitment to the team.

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What they’re saying

“We are thrilled to have Sophie back with the Fever and are grateful for her commitment to return and build on what we started a year ago. Not only is Sophie one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, but she is an exceptional teammate, both on and off the court.”

— Amber Cox, Indiana Fever General Manager

“We had a really special group last year and it was an incredible first season for me in Indy; I loved everything about my teammates and the Fever organization. We fought through a ton of adversity, and it was important to me that we have a chance to see through what we started. I have a feeling this is going to be another special season.”

— Sophie Cunningham

What’s next

The Fever will look to build on their progress from last season and make a push for the playoffs with Cunningham leading the way. Her health and continued strong 3-point shooting will be key factors in the team's success.

The takeaway

Cunningham's return to the Fever is a significant boost for the team as they aim to build on their progress from last season. Her elite 3-point shooting and veteran leadership will be invaluable assets as the Fever seek to compete in the tough Eastern Conference.