Indiana Fever Sign Shey Peddy to Hardship Contract After Sophie Cunningham’s Injury

The Indiana Fever are wasting no time in adjusting their roster following the devastating injury to veteran guard Sophie Cunningham. On Tuesday, the team announced they had signed experienced WNBA guard Shey Peddy to a hardship contract, while simultaneously waiving rookie Kyra Lambert to make room for the move.

The decision comes in response to Cunningham’s recent MCL injury, which has ruled her out indefinitely and left the Fever scrambling to reinforce their backcourt depth. Cunningham, a vocal leader and three-point specialist, suffered the knee injury during a physical contest against the Connecticut Sun. Despite initial hope that it might be minor, follow-up evaluations confirmed the worst: a torn MCL that requires surgery and months of recovery.

Speaking after the announcement, Fever head coach Christie Sides said, “Sophie is one of the emotional leaders of this team. Her presence on the court and in the locker room is huge. We’re going to miss her, but we have to keep moving forward and supporting her recovery.”

Enter Shey Peddy—a battle-tested guard with playoff experience and a reputation for smart, steady play. Peddy, 35, brings a veteran presence to an otherwise young Fever roster. She previously played for the Phoenix Mercury and Washington Mystics, averaging 7.2 points and 3 assists per game last season. Known for her basketball IQ and perimeter defense, she’s expected to contribute immediately, especially as the Fever continue to chase a playoff spot in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.

“This is a great opportunity to help a young team and bring some stability in a tough moment,” Peddy said in a team statement. “I’ve been staying ready, and I’m grateful for the chance to get back on the floor.”

To make room for Peddy, the Fever made the difficult decision to part ways with Kyra Lambert, a promising young guard who signed with the team earlier this summer. Lambert showed flashes of potential in her limited minutes but was the most logical roster cut given the team’s immediate need for veteran experience.

The hardship contract allows the Fever to temporarily expand their roster beyond the 12-player limit due to injury-related absences. It remains unclear whether the contract will extend beyond a few weeks, but Peddy’s impact could determine how long she stays with the team.

Cunningham, meanwhile, addressed her injury in a recent podcast episode, saying: “It’s the best-case scenario for a bad injury. I’ll be out the rest of the season, but I’ll come back stronger.” Her optimism has been praised by teammates and fans alike, but her absence is still a significant blow to Indiana’s chemistry and perimeter shooting.

As the Fever attempt to regain momentum in the second half of the season, all eyes will be on how quickly Peddy can adapt—and whether her veteran poise can help stabilize a team reeling from a string of injuries.