Did Bria Hartley intentionally injure Sophie Cunningham? WNBA pro responds to allegations following a season-ending injury

Due to a season-ending injury, Sophie Cunningham, the star of the Indiana Fever, will not be participating in her team's postseason run. She reportedly suffered the injury allegedly due to Bria Hartley of the Connecticut Sun. Meanwhile, one picture that immediately went viral online made others question whether the latter had intentionally hurt her. Now, the WNBA star had recently opened up on whether or not she believed Bria Hartley intentionally fell on her knee. She stated that although she is grateful for the support, the claim that Bria Hartley purposefully injured her is simply not true.

Sophie Cunningham shared that she’s “in really good spirits” despite confirming her season-ending MCL tear

Sophie Cunningham recently discussed her feelings about her injuries on Tuesday's episode of her Show Me Something podcast. She stated that she did not believe Bria Hartley purposely hurt her.

The WNBA pro also claimed that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and that what transpired was just "a basketball place." He then said:

“I know Bria, and I’m actually really good friends with Bria. And I have been waiting to get on the pod so we can talk about this… But I don’t think that there [wasn’t any] ill intent.. I think it was a basketball play, I was just in the front spot at the wrong time, she fell..”




She continued:

“I have nothing but love for Bria… Bria and I are super cool, and she would never try to hurt me. Because there are some girls that I think might, but she wouldn’t do that. I hope people stop giving Bria some heat, because I don’t think she meant to do that at all.”

She also brushed aside the criticism surrounding Bria Hartley's smile following their fall. For context, she is seen grinning broadly in the widely shared photo, gazing at Sophie Cunningham while the Indiana Fever star clenches her leg and hobbles up and down.

More about Sophie Cunningham’s injury as the WNBA pro is currently not playing

Sophie Cunningham tore the MCL ligament in her knee while playing against the Connecticut Sun on August 17. After passing the ball, Bria Hartley fell and collided with her right knee, causing the injury.

Even though the injury was severe at the time, the Indiana Fever star was not diagnosed until Tuesday. It was declared after she left that she would not be coming back to complete the game.

The coach, Stephanie White, commented on the game after it was over, describing "the way that she fell and how she was holding herself and how much pain she was in." However, team officials did not provide further details about the condition.



Also read: What did Sophie Cunningham say about Diana Taurasi? Indiana Fever star compares legend to Caitlin Clark




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