Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images; Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Sophie Cunningham Calls Out WNBA Officiating Over Treatment of Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Ettinger | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 10:43 PM ET

Earlier this week, the Indiana Fever beat the Connecticut Sun 88-71. While this final score wouldn't generally make major headlines, controversy entered Caitlin Clark's personal space, so this story's news cycle has grown legs.

Clark's Fever teammate, Sophie Cunningham, had Clark's back during Tuesday's physical encounter with the Sun. During the third quarter, Clark was poked in the eye by Sun guard, Jacy Sheldon. As Clark gathered herself, Sheldon’s teammate, Marina Mabrey seemed to intentionally shoulder Clark, sending Clark to the floor.

While there was minimal reaction in the moment, on the court, Cunningham (now famously) stood up for Clark later in the game. With the game out of reach, with under one minute to play in regulation, Cunningham wrapped up Sheldon on a fast break. A scuffle ensued, and Cunningham was happy to engage.

OH HELL NO pic.twitter.com/Xqq2cbuMPV
— correlation (@nosyone4) June 18, 2025

MORE ACTION: Sophie Cunningham grabbed & brought Jacy Sheldon to the floor a quarter after Sheldon got into it with Caitlin Clark, & Sheldon & Cunningham went AT IT!

Both players were ejected. Marina Mabrey was not ejected earlier in the game for shoving Clark to the floor.… pic.twitter.com/L3acz25U7s
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) June 18, 2025

Cunningham, who was subsequently ejected for partaking in this scuffle against the Sun, has since spoken out regarding the incident, calling out WNBA officiating in the process, stating they brought this on themselves for not treating the league's star the right way.

“It’s been a build up for a couple of years now, of them not protecting the star player of the WNBA.” pic.twitter.com/FOavJEu4qY
— Ken Swift (@kenswift) June 21, 2025

"I'm not focused on the extracurricular activities. And you know what, during that, it was just part of the game. I think the refs had a lot to do with that. It was a buildup for a couple of years now of them just not protecting the star player of the WNBA. And so at the end of the day, I'm going to protect my teammates. That's what I do. And I'm a team player, so it's all good," Cunningham said.

Cunningham made these comments after the Fever's Saturday practice. Time will tell if Cunningham will be fined for criticizing the league's officiating. If that's the case, there's a strong chance Clark will (again) put it on her tab. Clark reportedly paid Cunningham's $400 fine for her actions in Tuesday's game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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