Sophie Cunningham says players are 'targeting' Caitlin Clark and WNBA, refs 'do nothing to protect her'
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham criticized the WNBA and referees for failing to protect teammate Caitlin Clark from hard fouls and targeted physical play during games.
- Cunningham highlighted a specific incident where Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas pressed her fist on Clark's neck without a foul called, leading to Clark leaving the game with a back injury; Thomas was later suspended for one game.
- Cunningham and others, including Fever coach Stephanie White and WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, expressed frustration over the league's handling of physicality against Clark, calling the officiating and protections "absolutely unacceptable."
- Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts disagreed with the suspension, arguing the league did not conduct a thorough investigation, although Thomas eventually received a flagrant foul for the incident.
- The controversy follows a recent chippy game between the Fever and Mercury, marked by multiple technical fouls and ejections, with Clark's treatment and officiating again at the center of attention.
