In a heated showdown on Tuesday night, Sophie Cunningham made her presence felt in the final minute of regulation between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun, a moment that drew all eyes as she yanked Jacy Sheldon to the ground. This wasn’t simply a spur-of-the-moment act; it was a calculated response to the rough treatment her teammate, Caitlin Clark, received earlier in the game.
The tension escalated during the third quarter when Sheldon inadvertently poked Clark in the eye, a move that was quickly compounded by Marina Mabrey shoving Clark down on the court. It was clear that the stakes were high, igniting a spark that Cunningham wouldn’t let fade away quietly.
However, Cunningham’s actions drew the ire of Sun head coach Rachid Meziane, who had strong words about the incident. He labeled Cunningham’s foul as “completely stupid” and expressed his disbelief over the referees’ decision to eject Sheldon for retaliating. In Meziane’s view, it was “disrespectful” to commit such a foul while leading by 17 points, questioning how Sheldon and her teammate Lindsay came to be sent off while they didn’t directly instigate the clash.
Cunningham, on the other hand, showed no signs of remorse, taking to her Instagram Story to insinuate that she was unfazed by the outcome. Holding her arms out in a playful post, she appeared to mock the situation, suggesting she had no regrets about defending Clark and standing up for her teammates.
Fan reactions echoed this sentiment, as many took to social media to praise Cunningham’s bold move. Comments like “Sophie definitely getting ejected for that, but so what,” highlighted her role as the team’s enforcer, underlining her commitment to defending her teammates, likening her to “Enforcer Barbie” ready to stand her ground.
As it stands, the WNBA hasn’t made any announcements regarding potential discipline for Cunningham following this incident. For now, she remains ready to suit up against the Golden State Valkyries this Thursday. The Fever and Sun won’t have to wait long for a rematch, with both teams set to face off again on July 15. One can only wonder if more fireworks are in store for that showdown.
