LOS ANGELES — Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is questionable to enter Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks because of back spasms suffered during warmups, the team announced midway through the first quarter.
Cunningham, who backs up wing Lexie Hull, averages 9.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game.
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She looked to go through warmups as normal, even signing autographs for fans imitating her viral pointing meme, but she was not on the bench to begin the first quarter of Wednesday’s game. She did, however, return to the bench during a coach’s challenge with 3:09 left.
Indiana has been playing a smaller lineup so far, but development player Bree Hall is active for Wednesday’s game should the Fever need a true backup wing. They also are without center Aliyah Boston, who is dealing with a lower right leg injury.
Cunningham missed practice last week due to an illness, but returned before the Fever began their four-game trip out west. She played 21 minutes in the Fever’s 84-68 win over the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday night, scoring nine points on 3 for 6 shooting with a rebound and an assist.
Sophie Cunningham enters Indiana Fever game vs Sparks
Cunningham was not even on the bench halfway through the first quarter. But she ran to the bench during a stoppage for a coach’s challenge with 3:09 left in the first quarter. And she then entered the game for the first time as the fifth player off the bench.
Cunningham is averaging 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.9 minutes per game.
Sophie Cunningham wears brace on Fever bench
Cunningham played the final 3:09 of the first quarter, tallying an assist, rebound and an illegal screen. She started the second quarter on the bench, Hull taking her place, and was seen wearing a brace around her back.
Sophie Cunningham reenters first half
Cunningham reentered for Hull with 5:04 left in the first half. She had a steal off a transition pass and an easy layup. A couple possessions later, during a stoppage, Cunningham was shown on the broadcast grimacing with a deep breath.
Cunningham played 6:55 in the first half with two points, a rebound, an assist and an offensive foul. She was a minus-11.
This story will be updated.
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. 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: Where is Sophie Cunningham in Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks game? Guard suffers injury
Reporting by Chloe Peterson and Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Chloe Peterson and Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
