Sophie Cunningham addresses Fever incident

Imagn Images

Sophie Cunningham addresses Fever incident

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Oct 5, 2026 9:59 AM ET

Game 3 between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas was filled with different key moments. One of them was the technical foul called on Stephanie White for contesting a foul called on Lexie Hull. Sophie Cunningham addressed the incident and shared her interaction with the referee.

Cunningham contributed five points and two assists in 24 minutes off the bench. Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 23 points on 7-of-23 shooting, along with two rebounds. Aliyah Boston produced 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while Caitlin Clark added 18 points and four assists. However, the three-time All-Star guard was also inefficient from the field, converting just 6-of-18 attempts in the 94-83 loss.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) reacts to a call from the referee.

Indiana Fever: Sophie Cunningham discusses conversation with referee after Stephanie White’s technical

Cunningham recalled the incident as it unfolded. She also spoke with a referee and revealed the response she received when she asked him a question. It happened as Hull battled for position against an opponent before they both fell to the floor and the Fever guard called for a foul. White entered the court to challenge it but the referee whistled her for a technical.

“Steph White calls a timeout and tries to challenge it,” Cunningham said. “One official Ts her for stepping onto the court. I asked ref Tim, ‘Tim, why can’t we challenge that?’ He said, ‘I don’t know the rules.’ What?”

“But you’re a ref in playoffs and you don’t know the rules. That’s just like one of the instances that’s a bad call. That matters because that was Lexie’s third foul. Second or third foul. And she’s a guard that plays a lot for us.”

Sophie Cunningham on the Lexie Hull and Brianna Turner tension play:

“Steph White calls a timeout and tries to challenge it. One official Ts her for stepping onto the court. I asked ref Tim, ‘Tim, why can’t we challenge that?’ He said, ‘I don’t know the rules.'” https://t.co/50f20evUR0

— Fever Updates (@FeverUpdate) October 3, 2026

White played Cunningham and Raven Johnson more as Hull sat on the bench to nurse her fouls. The Fever are now in the offseason earlier than they wanted and face big decisions. One of them is the future of Kelsey Mitchell, who is set for unrestricted free agency. However, the front office, including general manager Amber Cox, plan to re-sign her. The executives will likely make changes to place the franchise in the best position to win a title.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: