Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was ejected after she stepped up to defend her teammate, Caitlin Clark, during the Fever vs Connecticut Sun game on Tuesday.
It all started when Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon got in Clark’s face and Clark shoved her away. Sun guard Marina Mabrey then shoved Clark. Fever guard Lexie Hull stepped between them. No fouls were assessed as the refs let them play on.
Then in the third quarter, Sheldon poked Clark in the eye and Mabrey bumped her. As Clark walked away, Mabrey bumped Clark to the floor.
What in the world?
— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) June 18, 2025
Later, Cunningham and Sheldon got tangled up when Sheldon drove into the paint. Cunningham grabbed Sheldon by her hair and threw her to the court in retaliation for the earlier foul no-calls on Clark.
A brawl ensued that resulted in Cunningham, Sheldon and Sun guard Lindsay Allen being ejected from the game with 40 seconds left. The Fever went on to win by a score of 88-71.
Sophie has CC’s back ? pic.twitter.com/eRGH2QcxgP
— American USMC Veteran ???? (@MarineF18ret) June 18, 2025
Last season’s WNBA Rookie of the Year didn’t have an enforcer to defend her when other WNBA players got aggressive. Ex-Fever guard NaLyssa Smith was traded to Dallas for ‘liking’ social media posts bullying Clark.
Cunningham volunteered her bodyguard services and she was quickly signed by the Fever this season. Fans praised Cunningham after the game for defending her friend and the league’s Golden Goose.
lmfaoooo pic.twitter.com/MvD7W4Uq4R
— correlation (@nosyone4) June 18, 2025
The Indiana Fever trainer is seen in this video thanking Cunningham for standing up and fighting back for Clark.
Top WNBA prospects such as Flau’jea Johnson and Azzi Fudd chose to stay in college after seeing the abuse Clark received in the league.
Both Lexie and Sophie got her back tonight ????? Love them
— Sportsjunkie (@NerdyVariety) June 18, 2025
Anyone have an idea what Soph said to Sheldon when she was ringing her neck?
— Pariah (@OldBayBoy1) June 18, 2025
Everyone right now to Sophie Cunningham ?#WNBA #IndianaFever
— Indiana Fever ® (@TheIndianaFever) June 18, 2025
