3 EJECTED after fight as Sophie Cunningham stands up for Caitlin Clark
🏀 3 Ejected After Fight as Sophie Cunningham Stands Up for Caitlin Clark
The Incident That Ignited Tensions
During a high-stakes Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun matchup on June 17, 2025, tempers flared. The spark came when Connecticut’s Jacy Sheldon appeared to poke Caitlin Clark in the eye, prompting a tense response. As pushback ensued, Marina Mabrey of the Sun shoved Clark to the ground, drawing immediate criticism — and later, a retroactive Flagrant-2 foul upgrade reddit.com+7autulu.com+7timesofindia.indiatimes.com+7ftw.usatoday.com+15the-sun.com+15nypost.com+15.
But it didn’t stop there. With emotions still raw, Fever’s own Sophie Cunningham stepped in later against Sheldon, delivering a hard foul and dragging her by the hair. The resulting chaos led to three ejections: Cunningham, Sheldon, and Suns guard Lindsay Allen sbnation.com+1the-sun.com+1.
Cunningham’s Role: Enforcer and Protector
Cunningham’s reputation as Clark’s guardian angel dates back to her days with Phoenix, but this incident firmly cemented her role as the team’s enforcer. The 28‑year‑old, a six‑year WNBA vet and former Taekwondo black belt, didn’t hesitate to use physicality in Clark’s defense—transforming a tense skirmish into a viral storyline the-sun.com.
Her aggressive, no‑nonsense style, once honed in high school football and taekwondo, has translated seamlessly to the professional floor. She now brings a level of edge Indiana clearly intended when acquiring her in January’s four‑team trade the-sun.com+1outkick.com+1.
League Reaction: Fines, No Suspensions
The WNBA chose financial penalties over suspensions: Cunningham was slapped with fines for the hair pull and escalating the confrontation, while Mabrey’s shove was upgraded to a flagrant-2 with its own fine timesofindia.indiatimes.com+9the-sun.com+9nypost.com+9. Notably, the league did not suspend anyone, a decision that sparked debate among fans, league insiders, and Fever coach Stephanie White, who blasted the officiating as “outdated and harmful” essentiallysports.com+3washingtonpost.com+3sbnation.com+3.
Bigger Picture: Physicality, Rookie Targeting & Officiating Woes
This wasn’t an isolated clash. Caitlin Clark — the league’s newest face and top rookie — has consistently endured heightened physicality. Multiple WNBA veterans have pointed to what they describe as targeting, insisting rough starts aren’t mere welcome rituals but calculated plays to bully a talented newcomer reddit.com+14trustwave.celebtoday24h.com+14autulu.com+14.
The league’s officiating has taken heat in response. Referees missed earlier infractions involving Clark, seemingly allowing the fight’s tension to escalate unchecked reddit.com+6washingtonpost.com+6nypost.com+6. This flashpoint has reignited conversations around player safety, officiating standards, and how the WNBA will protect its rising stars in increasingly physical contests.
Fan & Social Media Response
Across social media — from X/Twitter to TikTok — fans have rallied behind Cunningham and Clark. Many praised Cunningham’s fierce loyalty:
“Caitlin Clark’s ‘enforcer’ … dragging them by the hair!” autulu.com+2the-sun.com+2talksport.com+2
Others viewed the saga as a portrait of the WNBA’s physical evolution and its growing pains — an identity clash between tradition and the new era driven by marketable stars.
What Comes Next
Cunningham: Will likely face further fines, but her status as Indiana’s protector is solidified.
Sheldon, Mabrey, Allen: While ejected, none received suspensions — though Mabrey’s strike received retroactive fluency.
League: WNBA may reassess officiating protocols and delve deeper into policing on‑court conduct.
Final Take
What began as another rivalry fight turned into a statement game — one that showcased the protective bond between Cunningham and Clark, highlighted the physical intensity reshaping the WNBA, and put officiating under a microscope. As visibility and stakes rise, so do pressures — and the Fever appear ready to reject the “rookie hazing” narrative with unwavering defense and strategic grit.
Stay tuned: With the Commissioner’s Cup approaching and refereeing in the spotlight, expect more scenarios where veteran grit and rising star power collide — and leave their mark.
