Speaking candidly about her injury and Bria Hartley, Sophie Cunningham declares, “I have nothing but love for her.”
This WNBA season ended much sooner than Sophie Cunningham had anticipated. Any player can experience the agony of a season-ending injury, but when it occurs during a competitive event, emotions are likely to run high for the athlete as well as for teammates, coaches, and even distant family members.
Cunningham’s most recent remarks were refreshing because of this. The guard for the Phoenix Mercury chose to stand up for Connecticut Sun veteran Bria Hartley, who was involved in the play that injured her, rather than stoking tensions or harboring grudges.
Cunningham stated, “I’m actually really good friends with Bria,” with conviction and elegance. “I don’t believe there was malice. I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I believe it was a basketball play.
Taking the high road isn’t always simple. Numerous instances of injuries igniting feuds, hate campaigns online, or enduring animosity have been documented in professional sports. Cunningham, however, has no interest in any of that.
She reaffirmed her support for Hartley, emphasizing that this was just a difficult time. I even told my mother that I adore Bria after she tweeted something. Never would she [Hartley] attempt to harm me. She wouldn’t do that, but I think some girls might.
It’s refreshing to see that honesty. Cunningham’s readiness to publicly defend Hartley demonstrates maturity and perspective in a time when social media can turn a single play into a lightning rod. It also serves as a reminder of the close ties that exist within the league. Many of these athletes have spent years fighting against or with one another, spending summers in pickup gyms or sharing locker rooms abroad.
Fans want someone to place the blame on, and Cunningham is aware of this. She isn’t blaming anyone, though. Rather, she is pleading with the basketball community to overlook Hartley. She remarked, “I hope people stop giving Bria some heat.” “I don’t believe that was her intention at all.”
Phoenix suffered a difficult defeat, but Cunningham’s reaction might be as important as any stat line. Players, fans, and perhaps even her mother could take inspiration from her empathy
