A dramatic twist unfolded today in the ongoing WNBA controversy, as newly leaked video footage showed Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham receiving a black eye while trying to protect teammate Caitlin Clark during last night’s intense matchup against the Chicago Sky.

The video, which surfaced early this morning and quickly went viral on social media, shows Cunningham stepping in between Clark and an aggressive defensive double-team, only to be struck near the right eye during a physical exchange. The moment, missed in real-time by both the broadcast team and referees, has ignited accusations of negligence and favoritism toward opposing players — and renewed calls for the league to act.

The footage, enhanced and slowed down by fans online, clearly shows an elbow — seemingly unintentional — hitting Cunningham just above the cheekbone. She recoils instantly but stays on her feet, continuing to defend as Clark is trapped in the corner.

By the end of the game, Cunningham was seen with visible swelling on her right eye, which has since developed into a deep purple bruise. Despite this, she did not leave the game and finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds, receiving loud applause from fans for her grit and composure.

“This is what a teammate looks like,” Clark said in a postgame interview. “Sophie always has my back. That moment said everything about her heart.”

However, what shocked fans even more was the complete lack of response from game officials and the league office. No flagrant fouls were issued, and no statement was released after the game regarding the injury or the physicality involved.

“Where’s the accountability?” asked WNBA analyst Diana Mitchell during a live segment on GamePoint Live. “If Sophie Cunningham gets hit in the face on camera trying to defend her teammate, and no whistle blows — we have a serious officiating problem.”

Fans took to social media almost instantly. Hashtags like #BlackEyeJustice, #ProtectSophie, and #WhereIsTheCall began trending within hours. The outrage echoes recent criticism of what many call the league’s inconsistency in calling fouls and protecting players from excessive contact.

Phoenix Mercury head coach Carla Stevens addressed the situation in the post-game press conference, calling the non-call “unacceptable.”

“She took a hit to the face while playing smart, tough basketball,” Stevens said. “And she gets zero protection. We’ve raised the issue to the league, and we expect a formal review.”

As of now, the WNBA has not commented on the incident or the viral footage. However, internal sources suggest that league officials are “aware” of the video and may issue a statement within the next 48 hours.

The controversy comes amid a season already marred by debate over officiating bias, especially surrounding high-profile players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Some fans argue that Clark draws both extra protection from officials and extra aggression from opponents.

Sophie Cunningham, however, seems unfazed by the attention. In a brief Instagram post after the video leaked, she shared a photo of her bruised eye with the caption:

“Black eye. Clear heart. Would do it again for my teammate.”

Her statement drew thousands of supportive comments, including from fellow WNBA players and even NBA stars.

As the Mercury prepare for their next game, all eyes will be on how the league responds. Will they issue a retroactive penalty? Will they acknowledge the growing concern over physical targeting? Or will the silence continue?

For now, Sophie Cunningham’s black eye has become more than a bruise — it’s a symbol of the cost some players bear to protect their teammates in a league still battling questions of fairness and consistency.