Whenever a player leaves a team, there’s usually more to the story, like Jewell Loyd leaving Seattle. Naturally, Sophie Cunningham’s move from Phoenix to Indiana also had one. Cunningham’s switch to the Fever for the 2025 season surprised many WNBA fans, but over time it proved beneficial for both her and the Mercury. With the season now over, she has shared an update on her injury that also hints at the challenges she faced during her time in Phoenix.

In the latest episode of Show Me Something podcast, Sophie was asked about her recovery and the trainers that she is working with. Answering her co-host, West Wilson‘s, question, Sophie Cunningham revealed, “I’m still like working up to them (Fever), or working with them to a certain point, and then if I resign, then I can continue to work with them. But I have Frank out here (in Phoenix) who’s doing it, and then Todd and Maria are doing it back in Indiana.” Frank and Phoenix? Still in touch with Mercury?

Co-host West was quick to ask if she was taking help from the Phoenix Mercury for her rehab. Seemingly uninterested, Sophie Cunningham replied, “No. I don’t do anything with that organization.” While it may seem crude, it isn’t the first time she has been candid about her six-year tenure in Phoenix. Even though Sophie has considered it a good learning experience, she has also revealed the additional drama that made it hard for players, especially younger ones like Sophie was at the time, to focus.

Well, Sophie has a lot of memory and love for the city and the fans, but that has not stopped her from revealing the inner talks of the Mercury locker room against Caitlin Clark, even back in July. Then she revealed, “I know the talks that Phoenix had in the locker room of like, ‘No, we’re gonna prove her. We’re gonna show her what the W is.’ You know what I mean? And I get it to a certain extent, and every rookie coming into the league, that’s how you’re going to treat them. But there’s just more for her.”

While her remarks defended teammate CC, it isn’t probably the only reason for her “with that organization” jab. Even coming off a serious knee injury, Cunningham is expected to attract plenty of interest, but with such direct attacks, it is for sure she isn’t returning to the Mercury. Also, even though she is a free agent, the Indiana Fever are keen to keep her. And since she is already working on her recovery with the team’s staff, they have a clear picture of her progress and how ready she will be for the next season.

How is Sophie Cunningham’s recovery going?

It’s been just over two months since Sophie Cunningham suffered a season-ending MCL tear against the Connecticut Sun. Despite the setback, the Indiana Fever adapted well and pushed to within a game of the WNBA Finals. But now with the season over and the team turning its focus to the 2026 roster, Cunningham’s health has been a major question. Thankfully, according to her recent updates, she is already ahead of schedule in her recovery.

Sophie can bend her knee more than doctors had expected at this stage of her recovery. She even shared that she removed her knee brace on her own, without a doctor’s permission. While she still cannot bend it fully, it won’t be long before she can. Once that happens, she will be able to begin on-court work and move on to the next stage of her recovery.

Typically, an MCL tear takes three to five months to fully heal, which makes Sophie’s recent progress an encouraging sign. While there is still plenty of time before the 2026 season, having Cunningham fully fit ahead of training camp would be a major boost for the Indiana Fever and strengthen any plans the team makes for the offseason.