The Indiana Fever finally got back over a .500 record and secured a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup Final with a dominant 88-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun, June 17 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Caitlin Clark dropped 20 points and electrified the home crowd with her signature deep threes and playmaking. But while the Fever’s win was impressive, the game’s physicality stole the actual spotlight.
Tensions flared several times during the game, with Clark and her Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham both involved in heated moments. Things escalated in the second half, and now, with a new video angle circulating online, fans are getting a clearer look at what really happened.
Sophie Cunningham Was Not Happy With How Caitlin Clark Was Being Treated
In the third quarter, Clark was matched up against Connecticut guard Jacy Sheldon. As Sheldon tried to create space, she flung her arm upward, hitting Clark directly in the eye. Clark recoiled, clearly stunned, and turned to confront Sheldon, only to be pushed to the floor by Suns’ guard Marina Mabrey.
The moment was chaotic, and broadcast cameras didn’t catch every reaction, but a new angle that’s now going viral offers more clarity.
In the video on X, as soon as Clark hits the floor, Cunningham can be seen springing up from the bench, fired up and visibly angry at how her teammate was treated. She attempted to charge onto the court. However, assistant coach Austin Kelly quickly intervened and prevented her from escalating the confrontation.
Angle of Sophie Cunningham being held back on the bench during this altercation last night. 🤣✊
(via @nosyone4)
pic.twitter.com/KICCF17OEG https://t.co/qf1R9G0ylz
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 19, 2025
Cunningham’s frustration didn’t end there, and she eventually got revenge later.
In the fourth quarter, with under a minute remaining, she appeared to take matters into her own hands. As Sheldon drove toward the basket for what looked like a routine layup, Cunningham, guarding her, reached over and dragged Sheldon to the floor by her hair.
The reaction was immediate and severe.
Officials assessed Cunningham with a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected her from the game. The incident didn’t stop there as Connecticut’s Lindsay Allen became involved in the aftermath, prompting referees to eject both Allen and Sheldon as well for their roles in the heated aftermath.
Post-game developments only added to the drama. ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reported that Mabrey’s original technical foul for her hit on Clark was officially upgraded to a Flagrant 2 by the league office. Still, despite the fiery nature of the altercations, the WNBA confirmed that no suspensions would be handed out to any players involved.
This newly revealed footage adds another layer to understanding the emotional intensity that drives professional athletes.
