The Indiana Fever have been eliminated from the WNBA postseason by the Las Vegas Aces, which means it's time to look to 2027.
Guard Sophie Cunningham returned to the Fever for the season after making a full recovery after tearing the MCL in her right knee late last season. The 30-year-old signed a one-year deal with Indiana in the offseason and will now be an unrestricted free agent.
Because she was coming off an injury, Cunningham didn't have a chance to work out for teams last offseason.
"It's tough, because I came off an injury, and I haven't been in front of any teams. I had a lot going on this offseason," Cunningham said. "I was fully cleared, they had all the doctors, they had the numbers and everything. But if you don't get in front of these
people, it's like, 'Hey, are you actually good?'
"It's a little frustrating. Because I'm someone who, I kind of shoot it straight. If I wasn't feeling good or was hesitant, I think I would have said something and been honest. Because I'm just at the point in my career where I just want to win. I just want to win. And so I'm not going to put my ego in front of things. And I know it is a business, but I just think I'm wired a little differently. I don't know. I just want to win."
The eight-year veteran started three of the 43 games she played in this regular season for the Fever. She came to Indiana last season after spending the first six years of her career with the Phoenix Mercury.
The Fever finished with the No. 6 seed in the playoffs with a 28-16 regular-season record. They were bounced out of the first round of the playoffs by the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Sophie Cunningham contract
Cunningham signed a one-year, $665,000 contract with the Indiana Fever for the 2026 season and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. She played six seasons for the Phoenix Mercury before coming to the Fever. Her career earnings are $1,337,780, according to Spotrac.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's next for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham with her WNBA playoffs done?
