Sophie Cunningham Out for the Season – WNBA’s Silence Sparks Outrage as Chloe Bibby Steps Into the Spotlight

In a blow to the Indiana Fever’s playoff hopes, veteran guard Sophie Cunningham has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season after suffering a devastating knee injury in last week’s matchup against the Connecticut Sun. While the team reels from the loss, fans are now turning their frustration toward the WNBA itself—accusing the league of cowardly silence over the controversial incident that led to the injury.

Cunningham collapsed to the court in visible pain during the second quarter after a collision with Bria Hartley. Initial slow-motion replays fueled intense debate on social media, with some fans accusing Hartley of reckless—or even intentional—contact. Emotions flared further when Cunningham’s family took to X (formerly Twitter), slamming the officiating and demanding league accountability. Those posts have since been deleted, but the outrage remains.

What has made matters worse, according to critics, is the WNBA’s response—or lack thereof. Despite widespread attention and mounting pressure, the league has issued no official statement regarding the incident, the injury, or the play in question. For many, the silence feels like a slap in the face.

“If this had happened in the NBA, it would be a headline on every sports network. But this? Swept under the rug,” one Fever fan wrote on Instagram. Others have accused the WNBA of protecting its image at the expense of its athletes’ safety.

While head coach Stephanie White has defended Hartley and labeled the incident a “basketball play gone wrong,” the optics remain problematic. Cunningham has since broken her silence, urging fans to stop blaming Hartley and confirming that she doesn’t believe there was any intent to harm. Still, that hasn’t stopped the calls for the league to take responsibility for ensuring better in-game safety protocols and review mechanisms.

With Cunningham sidelined—having averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and a much-needed veteran presence—the Fever are now left with a significant hole in their rotation. But out of the chaos rises a new name: Chloe Bibby.

The Australian forward, who had previously hovered on the fringes of the rotation, now has the opportunity of a lifetime. Known for her intensity and floor spacing, Bibby could become a vital piece for Indiana down the stretch. In limited minutes this season, she’s shown flashes of promise, and fans are eager to see what she can bring with an expanded role.

“She’s been grinding every day in practice,” said assistant coach Carlos Knox. “We believe Chloe’s ready to step up and make an impact.”

As the Fever push toward the playoffs, sitting just above the .500 mark, they’ll need Bibby and the rest of the roster to rally—and fast. With Caitlin Clark still day-to-day, and other key players also battling injuries, Indiana’s resilience will be tested like never before.

Whether or not the WNBA chooses to speak out, the players are already speaking with their actions. And for Sophie Cunningham, her absence is more than a loss—it’s a call to action.