Sophie Cunningham replacement’s two-word reaction speaks volumes after signing with Fever

The Indiana Fever have signed guard Aerial Powers to a 7-day hardship contract following the loss of Sophie Cunningham, who suffered a season-ending MCL tear last weekend

Guard Aerial Powers could hardly contain her excitement after assuming Sophie Cunningham’s spot on the Indiana Fever roster.

Last weekend, Cunningham tore the MCL in her right knee following a collision with Bria Hartley in Indiana’s 99-93 overtime win over the Connecticut Sun.

The 29-year-old has since been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 campaign, marking the latest Fever star to go down with a serious injury.

On Saturday, the Fever addressed the glaring hole that Cunningham’s absence created by signing Powers to a 7-day hardship contract. Indiana was unable to bring her in prior to Friday’s contest against the Minnesota Lynx, since Cunningham needed to miss at least one game before another player could be added to the roster.

Taking to social media, Powers quickly shared the Fever’s announcement of her signing. “Pinch me!!” she wrote. “So excited and blessed to be here!! LETSSS GOOOO @IndianaFever.”

Over the course of a nine-year career in the league, Powers is averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

The No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft was named to the All-Rookie team while playing for the Dallas Wings, and later propelled the Washington Mystics to a championship title in 2019.

Most recently, Powers joined the Valkyries on June 10 of this year, but was waived 15 days later following two games with Golden State.

As for Cunningham, the Missouri product is still in good spirits despite now being sidelined for the rest of the season. “If you’re gonna hurt your knee, that is the best possible case,” she said on the latest episode of her ‘Show Me Something’ podcast.

“I’m really in good spirits because I knew that I hurt myself pretty good, but I will say I’m just thankful. I’m just thankful to be where I’m at and be with the organization and the girls that I’m with because they have brought life and my love of basketball back.”

Thanks to the way in which Cunningham’s leg was positioned when Hartley crashed into her while attempting a sideline pass, the star guard expressed gratitude that she avoided the worst.

“If my foot had been up a little bit, maybe my leg would’ve given in a little bit, but my foot was locked on the ground … it was like a textbook MCL tear,” Cunningham said.

“If you had gone a couple more inches to the left, you would’ve torn a whole bunch more s—. I’m very thankful for where I am at, so it’s all good.”

Cunningham is far from the only Fever player to miss considerable time this year. Caitlin Clark has been out with a right groin injury since July 15, while Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald suffered season-ending foot and ACL injuries, respectively.