Here is a complete and coherent rewrite of the story in English, with the added detail that Caitlin Clark remained silent and did not defend Sophie Cunningham, despite Cunningham stepping up to protect her:
After a controversial incident during last week’s WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun, Sophie Cunningham found herself at the center of a heated debate and even faced a petition calling for her to be banned from the league.
The controversy erupted when Cunningham committed a hard foul on Connecticut Sun’s Jacy Sheldon in the final seconds of the game. Rather than making a play for the ball, Cunningham’s foul was widely seen as retaliation for Sheldon’s repeated fouls against Caitlin Clark—Indiana Fever’s rising star—earlier in the game. Clark had already been targeted by the Sun’s players, notably being shoved to the ground by Marina Mabrey.
Cunningham’s actions sparked a fierce debate online. Some fans praised her for standing up for her teammate and showing the kind of toughness needed to protect a star player like Clark. Her jersey even sold out in the aftermath of the incident. However, many others condemned Cunningham’s conduct as unsportsmanlike and dangerous, claiming it tarnished the image of the WNBA. A group of fans went as far as launching a petition, which quickly gathered 388 signatures, demanding that the league ban Cunningham for what they described as repeated reckless behavior that put others at risk.
What surprised many was Caitlin Clark’s reaction—or rather, her lack of one. Despite being the player Cunningham had defended, Clark remained silent and did not publicly acknowledge or stand up for her teammate as Cunningham faced a wave of criticism. This silence disappointed some fans, who felt that Clark should have publicly supported Cunningham, thanked her, and helped ease the backlash. Many believed that Clark’s support would have demonstrated team unity and loyalty, especially given the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon came to Cunningham’s defense. Hammon stated that, in the competitive environment of the WNBA, it’s important for players to stand up for each other. “I think teammates should step in and defend Caitlin,” Hammon said. “But at the end of the day, there’s too much bumping, too much grabbing, too much fouling that’s not getting called. And people are tired of getting hit.”
Hammon also noted that Clark will have to get used to physical play throughout her career: “She’s a beast… and she’s just going to continue to get better. But she’s a player who you have to be physical with. If you just follow her around, she’s going to cook you for dinner.”
The WNBA has since fined Cunningham for her actions, but the specific amount has not been disclosed.
Sophie Cunningham’s story highlights not only the intensity and challenges of professional women’s basketball but also raises questions about responsibility and solidarity among teammates—especially when one steps up to defend another, only to face the consequences alone.
