Sophie Cunningham Had Unusual Message After Head Injury Scare in Fever-Dream Game

Sophie Cunningham just had one of her best games in an Indiana Fever uniform as she helped lead her team to a 99-82 home win against the Atlanta Dream on Friday night.

Cunningham came off the bench to provide some quality minutes for head coach Stephanie White. The veteran guard scored 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting to set a new season-high in her first year in Indiana. Cunningham also registered 10 rebounds, an assist, one block and zero turnovers, while also knocking down four out of her five attempts from deep

What’s even more impressive about Cunningham’s performance on Friday night is the fact that she shrugged off an injury scare in the second quarter of the game. This is after the 28-year-old fell to the ground following a jump ball and had Dream forward Brionna Jones land on top of her near her head.

Cunningham spoke about the incident in her postgame press conference, and she had a rather unusual message, reassuring fans that there was nothing to worry about.

I laugh when I’m in pain,” she said. “… I just tried to get a jump ball and [Jones is] a good-sized post and she is strong as hell. I give her all the credit, I wish I had that strength.”

Cunningham trailed off laughing, and it is clear that she wasn’t too bothered by the knock. The fact that she chose to praise Jones, rather than discussing the injury scare, is further indication that Cunningham has little concern here.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) arrives before a game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It’s a quick turnaround for Indiana following Friday’s win as they look to make it two in a row on Sunday in a highly anticipated matchup against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. Based on her postgame reaction, it does not seem like Cunningham is in any danger of missing that big game.