Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham found herself at the center of a heated moment on Saturday when Chicago Sky's DiJonai Carrington delivered a vicious foul that sent her crashing to the court. The play, which occurred with under two minutes left in the first quarter, immediately sparked outrage among fans who believe Cunningham is being unfairly targeted by opponents.
Carrington wound up and connected squarely with Cunningham's head as she attempted a layup. After the basket fell, Cunningham rose to her feet and confronted Carrington, making her displeasure clear. Officials reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to a flagrant 2, resulting in an automatic ejection for Carrington.
ESPN's Ryan Ruocco called it exactly as it looked: "There's a windup, a follow-through and potential for injury with Sophie Cunningham in a vulnerable position in the air. There's no question why Sophie Cunningham got up and took exception to that hit."
Fans Cry Foul
The WNBA community quickly took to social media to voice their frustration. One fan declared, "WNBA players are TARGETING Sophie Cunningham." Another added, "The jealousy these players have are so pathetic and now Chicago's best player is ejected and Indiana should cruise to a victory." A third comment went further, calling the foul "assault" and demanding a suspension.
This incident comes just six days after Minnesota Lynx forward Nia Coffey caught Cunningham with an elbow to the face, though that contact appeared accidental. Saturday's hit, however, was anything but accidental, leaving many to question if there's a pattern of aggression toward Cunningham.
Some observers point to Cunningham's high-profile stance on transgender inclusion in women's sports as a possible motive. In July, she told ESPN she wants to protect young girls from competing against biological men, a position that drew significant backlash. She later doubled down, saying, "I said what I said. I think it's kind of common sense. And I think I'll always believe in that. I think it's really important to protect children, and that's little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said."
While there's no direct evidence linking that controversy to the foul, the timing has fueled speculation. Fans are now calling for a suspension, and the debate over whether Cunningham is being singled out is only intensifying.
For her part, Cunningham has shown resilience, but the physical toll is mounting. The Fever will need her on the court as they push through the season, and the league may need to step in to ensure player safety is prioritized.
