The Indiana Fever‘s Sophie Cunningham suffered a knee injury during Sunday’s overtime win against the Connecticut Sun, which has once more sparked concerns about player safety and officiating in the WNBA.
Cunningham was sent to the floor in apparent agony when Sun guard Bria Hartley tripped over him when he was under the basket.
Cunningham’s role off the court has been pivotal for the Fever this season, especially since Caitlin Clark has been out due to injury.
Cunningham’s knee clutching, even though the Fever won, caused a lot of concern among fans, teammates, and even her coach, Stephanie White, who admitted that her initial response was, “Holy sât.”
White stated to reporters how alarming the situation was, even though he didn’t have an update on Cunningham’s status.
“Especially the way that she fell and how she was holding herself and how much pain she was in, at the time it’s like, ‘crap.’”
Cummingham’s Sister Calls Out League Over Officiating
Despite Cunningham’s injury, her family’s reaction quickly became a prominent topic on social media. In a remark on X, formerly Twitter, Lindsey Cunningham slammed the WNBA and its officials.
“@WNBA maybe you should focus less on fining players for commenting on your poor officiating & more about hiring officials that are able to call a consistent game and protect your athletes. Pathetic. Praying for you . @sophaller,” Lindsey wrote.
.@WNBA maybe you should focus less on fining players for commenting on your poor officiating & more about hiring officials that are able to call a consistent game and protect your athletes. Pathetic. Praying for you .@sophaller ðð¼â¤ï¸
â Lindsey Cunningham (@Lbreezzyy) August 17, 2025
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Sophie Cunningham’s recent fines from the league were referenced in her criticism, as she spoke candidly about officiating inconsistencies on her podcast.
Lindsey’s remarks resonated with fans who have long claimed that WNBA referees often struggle to maintain control during physical games and that star players, in particular, do not always receive the same level of protection as seen in other leagues.
Cunningham’s Mother Also Weighed In
Sophie’s mother, Paula, also expressed her opinion online â but she eventually deleted it. Paula, unlike Lindsey, vented her frustration towards the opponent who hit her daughter.
“Hartley is a disgruntled player having trouble everywhere she goes; she’s plain mean and plays out of control,” Paula wrote.
Paula was unclear about what she was referring to, but Hartley has recently been in the spotlight for disciplinary issues. She was ejected during the Sun’s previous game after pulling Angel Reese’s hair during an altercation earlier this season and also committing a flagrant foul against Skylar Diggins. Cunningham’s mother saw the collision as a pattern of reckless play, not an accident.
WNBA Officiating Under the Microscope All Season Long
Whatâs Next for Cunningham and the Fever
The Fever are already in a challenging situation with Clark not available, and losing Cunningham for any length of time would be a significant setback. The Fever may need to adjust their rotations and rely even more heavily on younger players if Cunningham’s knee injury remains unclear.
Cunningham’s family has shifted their focus from basketball adjustments to accountability. Lindsey’s message to the WNBA was straightforward: protect the athletes to prevent another preventable injury that could prevent a star from playing.
The league’s increased visibility and fan engagement will only increase the scrutiny around officiating. Sunday’s injury wasn’t just an unfortunate incident for the Cunningham family; it was the latest instance of what they perceive as systemic shortcomings by the WNBA to safeguard its players.
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