Is Caitlin Clark Being Targeted? Sophie Cunningham Speaks Out After On-Court Retaliation

| June 2025 | Sports News

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, one of the WNBA’s brightest rising stars, has found herself at the center of physical and controversial gameplay in recent weeks. The spotlight intensified after Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham delivered a hard foul on a Sun player—an act she later admitted was a response to repeated uncalled fouls on Clark.

The incident has reignited the conversation around player protection, officiating, and whether Clark is being deliberately targeted.

🔍 The Incident: Tensions Boil Over

During a tense game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun, Caitlin Clark was on the receiving end of several aggressive plays. These included an apparent poke in the eye and a forceful shove that knocked her to the ground. Despite visible contact, referees did not call flagrant fouls on either action.

In the third quarter, Cunningham intervened—delivering a hard foul on Jacy Sheldon, who had earlier collided with Clark. A scuffle followed, and Cunningham was ejected from the game.

💬 Sophie Cunningham: “I’m Going to Protect My Teammates”

Speaking to reporters after the game, Cunningham did not deny her intent:

“It was a build-up over a couple of years now of them not protecting the star player of the WNBA… At the end of the day, I’m going to protect my teammates,” Cunningham said in a postgame interview.

Cunningham, known for her physical style and taekwondo black belt, has embraced her role as Clark’s “enforcer,” especially amid growing frustration over inconsistent officiating.

📈 Is Clark Being Targeted?

The debate continues both online and within the league.

Clark has become the most talked-about rookie in recent memory, drawing large crowds and national attention.
With that fame, however, has come a visible increase in aggressive contact, leading fans and analysts alike to question whether players are deliberately targeting her.
Even NBA legend Kevin Garnett weighed in, saying:

“If they’re hating on you, you must be doing something right.”

⚖️ League and Fan Reactions

Following the incident, the WNBA issued fines but no suspensions. Many fans criticized the league’s response, calling for stronger protections for high-profile players, especially rookies like Clark.

Online forums and social media lit up with commentary. Some praised Cunningham’s move as “necessary,” while others condemned it as “reckless.”

One analyst wrote:

“If the league doesn’t step up, players will start policing things themselves—and that’s never a good sign.”

📌 What This Means Moving Forward

The Cunningham-Clark situation reveals broader questions in the WNBA:

Are star players like Clark being unfairly targeted?
Should the league re-evaluate how referees manage escalating physical play?
Is self-policing by teammates the result of institutional inaction?

Cunningham’s actions may have been controversial, but for many, they exposed the need for clearer standards—and protection—on the court.

🔗 Related Articles You Might Like

Sophie Cunningham: “Referees aren’t protecting the WNBA’s biggest star” – CBS Sports
Kevin Garnett applauds Clark amid targeting backlash – The Playoffs
Washington Post: Clark, conflict, and a WNBA product in chaos
Fans rally behind Sophie Cunningham after viral moment – TalkSPORT