Sophie Cunningham provides an optimistic injury update ahead of rematch with Liberty

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has been sidelined since May 30 after re-aggravating a right ankle injury that she initially hurt back in preseason. Her absence has been felt and a spark has been practically non-existent with the team since her exit. But Cunningham hopes to change that after providing the media with a rather optimistic update on her injury Thursday during the team's practice.

Cunningham's injury has been both frustrating and gut-wrenching for herself and the Fever. It came at the same time teammate Caitlin Clark sustained a quad injury that has left her sidelined for just over two weeks now.

She shared with the media that her healing has trended in the right direction and is hopeful she can return to the lineup Saturday in a rematch with the league's defending champion New York Liberty. The Fever could surely use her back in the rotation after their worse performance Tuesday that lacked any sort of offensive rhythm and led to a season low 58 point total scoring.

Unfortunately, it isn't up to just Cunningham to make the final call on when she can return. She made it very clear that the decision has to come from the team's medical staff.

"Yeah, I've been feeling really good. I'm just trying to get full clearance for Saturday. But so far, so good," Cunningham said.

How Sophie Cunningham will have an immediate impact

Sophie Cunningham doesn't just bring efficient shooting to the team. She brings a spark of energy that quite frankly, the team has been lacking the last two weeks. Having a player like this on the floor sets the whole tone for the game. She can effectively keep up with the pace of the game, when fully healthy of course.

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An aggressive player is another way to describe her persona. Cunningham is a natural leader and fans have gotten a glimpse of this while she's been sidelined.

Head coach Stephanie White has been clear on not rushing the return of both Cunningham and Clark. Cunningham expressed her frustration with the injury - not necessarily that it happened, but because it happened a second time. She acknowledged that she may have came back too soon making her susceptible to repeating the injury.

"I felt good coming into training camp, felt like I was in the best shape I've been in since being in the league. Then you get hurt pretty bad, torn up ankle. Maybe came back a little too soon..just got to keep controlling what I can control," she added.

Cunningham hopes to help her team get redemption Saturday against the Liberty after a heartbreaking one-point loss to them back on May 24.