INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark called it a “brand new elbow.” Sophie Cunningham called it a “PRP shot.”
Whatever you call it, the Fever guard has looked like a different shooter since returning from an elbow injury, scoring 24 points and burying six 3-pointers Tuesday night.
After missing Thursday’s game against Chicago due to right elbow soreness, Cunningham revealed she received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection – a treatment used to accelerate the healing process.
“Just had a little bit of struggle in my elbow, but I really did get that fixed, and now I’m starting to stay in my shot a little bit,” Cunningham said.
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Dating back to Saturday’s win over the Connecticut Sun, Cunningham made seven consecutive 3-pointers before her lone miss Tuesday, leaving her three shy of the WNBA record of 10 straight, set by Alex Bentley in 2013. She finished Tuesday with 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting, trailing only Kelsey Mitchell’s 27, as Indiana scored a franchise-record 113 points in regulation.
Cunningham, however, pointed to the team’s overall approach rather than her own hot shooting. She credited Indiana’s defense for allowing “really good offensive runs.”
“We’re seeing what works. We’re sharing the ball,” she said. “I don’t think it’s just me. I think it’s our team as a whole.”
Head coach Stephanie White said Cunningham’s impact extends well beyond her shooting.
“Sophie is just one of those players that can bring so much,” White said. “I think her leadership has been outstanding as well. Her ability to knock down a shot is huge for us.”
White summed up Cunningham’s performance in simpler terms:
“She’s tough as shit.”
Jessica Garcete is an IndyStar sports reporter. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Sophie Cunningham reveals truth behind her ‘new elbow’ that fueled hot shooting for Indiana Fever
Reporting by Jessica Garcete, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Jessica Garcete, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
