Sophie Cunningham tells mom to delete harsh social media post ripping Bria Hartley after season-ending injury

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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told her mom to delete a post on social media slamming Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley as a "disgruntled player" after Cunningham suffered a season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s game. 

The Fever announced Tuesday that Cunningham would miss the remainder of the season after she suffered a right knee injury when Hartley fell into her leg in the second quarter of Indiana’s 99-93 overtime win over the Sun. 

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) is injured on a play against Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley (14) in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on Aug. 17, 2025.  (David Butler II/ Imagn Images)

Cunningham’s mom, Paula, took to social media after the injury to call out Hartley in a since-deleted post on X. 

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"Hartley is a disgruntled player having trouble everywhere she goes; she’s plain mean and plays out of control."  

But Cunningham revealed in her podcast, "Show Me Something," that she told her mom to delete the post, adding that she and Hartley are good friends. 

"There was no ill intent. I think it was a basketball play. I was just in the wrong spot at the wrong time; she fell," Cunningham said. "There’s no way she would go in there and intentionally try to hurt me. I have nothing but love for Bria, and I even told my mom, because she tweeted something, I was like, ‘No, mom! I get it, but I promise you that Bria and I are super cool and she would never try to hurt me.’"

Connecticut Sun guard Bria Hartley (14) dribbles the ball during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena on