Sophie Cunningham ejected after retaliatory foul sparks chaos in Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun matchup

Sophie Cunningham was ejected after a hard foul on Jacy Sheldon following escalating aggression toward Caitlin Clark.

Sophie Cunningham was ejected from the Indiana Fever’s win over the Connecticut Sun after a heated on-court altercation escalated tensions already brewing around Caitlin Clark.

sophie “it’s not clocking to you that i’m standing on business” cunningham pic.twitter.com/okQUSFDFq9

— jolie (@joliebrown_) June 18, 2025

The incident occurred in the third quarter of Tuesday’s game when Cunningham responded to a blindside hit on Clark with a hard foul against Connecticut’s Jacy Sheldon. Officials swiftly ejected both Cunningham and Sheldon, as the scene nearly turned into a full brawl with players from both teams crowding the court.

Clark, returning to the starting lineup, had already drawn aggressive defense throughout the matchup. The physical play directed at her has become a growing concern, and this game highlighted how opponents are ramping up their intensity. Cunningham, acquired in the offseason from the Phoenix Mercury, made headlines not just for the foul, but for later appearing to mock critics with a social media post that many interpreted as dismissive.

Connecticut head coach Rachid Meziane condemned Cunningham’s foul. “For me, it’s just disrespectful to do that foul when you are winning the game by 17 points. Completely stupid,” he said. Meanwhile, Fever coach Stephanie White, who joined from Connecticut this season, pointed to officiating issues: “It was pretty obvious that stuff was brewing... When the officials don’t get control of the ball game... this is what happens.”

Despite the drama, the Fever secured an 88-71 victory, but the incident overshadowed the final score.

Off the court, Clark continues to build her brand. She recently announced her exclusive Kobe 5 Protro “Indiana Fever” sneakers, set to release June 30. Her growing influence in sports and fashion mirrors her on-court presence as she leads the Fever into their next game on June 19 against the Golden State Valkyries.