Sophie Cunningham on why she didn’t step in during Caitlin Clark incident

Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever were still able to secure a big win on Saturday night despite not having the services of Caitlin Clark.

The two-time WNBA All-Star was forced to miss the game due to a back injury sustained on Wednesday against the Phoenix Mercury. Clark was fouled on a three-point attempt and fell to the ground. He tweaked her back, and the Fever later ruled her out for the rest of the game.

Despite Clark’s absence, the Fever still blew out the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, 111-87. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with a game-high 26 points.

Cunningham chipped in with nine points, two rebounds, one assist, a steal and one triple in 20 minutes off the bench.

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham speaks out on Caitlin Clark-Alyssa Thomas incident

The Fever have not provided a firm timetable for Clark’s return from her back injury. It was an unfortunate turn of events from their loss to the Mercury on Wednesday as the former WNBA Rookie of the Year tweaked the same back issue that forced her to miss a game earlier in the season.

That was far from the only contentious moment from the Mercury game, though. Phoenix star Alyssa Thomas drove her fist into Clark’s neck as the latter fell to the floor. The referees did not call a foul during the play, but the WNBA decided to review the incident postgame. The league called a Flagrant 2 foul on Thomas, resulting in a one-game suspension.

On Saturday’s episode of her “Show Me Something” podcast, Cunningham shared thoughts on the much-talked-about incident. The 29-year-old also explained why she didn’t step in and stand up for Clark after the Tomas hit.

“Well, during real time last night, I did not see that happen,” Cunningham admitted. “None of our team saw it happen, because I promise you, if we would have seen that happen, we would have had her back.”

Sophie’s view on what happened last game: “During real time last night, I did not see that happen. None of our team saw that happen. Because I promise you, if we would have seen that happen, we would have had her back. Unfortunately, this type of shit happens every single game to… pic.twitter.com/vH3SBP9mMb

— Jess (@FeverBandwagon) June 27, 2026

Cunningham has established a reputation for being the Fever’s enforcer. She made headlines last season after an ejection against the Connecticut Sun for a supposed retaliation foul on behalf of Clark.

As it turns out, Cunningham did not see Thomas’ foul. As she said, the Fever veteran would have intervened had she caught it in real time.

Cunningham had more to day. She turned her attention to the referees and to the WNBA, calling them out for failing to protect Clark from these incessant attacks by their opponents.

“Unfortunately, this type of [expletive] happens every single game to her, and the league and the refs do absolutely nothing about it,” Cunningham continued. “… You see the videos of literally kneeing and cheap-shotting [Clark] in the throat.

“If she did that to any of our teammates, we’d be pissed. They’re definitely targeting her, and the league and the refs do nothing to protect her.”

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/sophie-cunningham-step-in-caitlin-clark-fever/