VIDEO Goes Viral As Massive WNBA Brawl Erupts After Sophie Cunningham Appears to Pull Hair and Deliver Payback for Caitlin Clark Incident

In a moment that has shocked fans, ignited debate, and gone instantly viral across social media, the WNBA was rocked this week by one of the most chaotic scenes in recent memory. A heated matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the Chicago Sky erupted into a full-blown brawl after Phoenix forward Sophie Cunningham delivered what many are calling a “dirty shot” followed by an aggressive hair pull — aimed directly at the player who had previously gotten into Caitlin Clark’s face earlier this season.

And according to fans and analysts, it didn’t look like an accident. Many are calling it a calculated act of revenge.

The incident — caught clearly on camera — is now trending across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), with millions of views within hours and passionate arguments brewing in every corner of the internet.

The Spark That Lit the Fire

To understand the magnitude of this altercation, we need to rewind to a much-discussed game earlier in the season when Chicago Sky forward Chennedy Carter delivered a hard foul and then exchanged words with Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. That moment, and the reaction to it, became one of the defining flashpoints of the 2025 WNBA season. The phrase “They’re targeting Caitlin Clark” trended for days, and it sparked national commentary from sports legends, fans, and even NBA players.

Clark — the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and most-hyped rookie in WNBA history — has faced relentless physical play in her debut season. But the Chennedy Carter incident took the narrative to a new level.

Sophie Cunningham didn’t forget.

And if last night’s Mercury-Sky game is any indication, she may have been waiting for her chance.

The Brawl: What Happened?

Late in the third quarter, with Phoenix trailing by six, tensions on the floor were visibly rising. Cunningham had already exchanged words with several Chicago players. But it was during a routine rebound that things exploded.

Video footage shows Cunningham aggressively boxing out Chennedy Carter. As Carter turns to run back on defense, Cunningham appears to swing her arm — connecting with Carter’s shoulder and nearly knocking her off balance. The two begin jawing, and just seconds later, Cunningham grabs a fistful of Carter’s hair and yanks her backward, igniting chaos on the court.

Benches cleared.

Teammates rushed in.

Coaches and security stormed the hardwood.

It took nearly five minutes to restore order.

Fans inside the arena were stunned, and the broadcast team was equally speechless.

“I’ve covered this league for over a decade, and I’ve never seen anything quite like this,” said the color commentator on the national broadcast. “This wasn’t just physical basketball. This was personal.”

Cunningham’s Message: “You Mess With One of Us, You Get All of Us”

After the game, Cunningham didn’t back down. Though she didn’t confirm that the incident was in direct response to Caitlin Clark’s treatment earlier in the season, her postgame comments left little to the imagination.

“We protect our own,” she said. “That’s what real teams, real women do. I’m not going to sit here and let people think they can bully their way through this league. If you come for one of us, don’t be surprised when we push back.”

Reporters pushed her for clarification, but Cunningham simply smirked and repeated: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”

Her comments only added fuel to the fire online.

Fan Reactions: Divided and Explosive

Within minutes, the video of the incident had gone viral. Fans, analysts, and even fellow athletes were split right down the middle.

Some fans praised Cunningham’s actions, calling it a long-overdue stand against what they see as the excessive targeting of Caitlin Clark by certain veteran players.

“Cunningham just became my favorite player,” one user posted. “You don’t touch Caitlin Clark and think there won’t be consequences. Sophie sent the message loud and clear.”

Another fan tweeted: “About time someone stood up to the bullies. If the refs won’t do it, teammates have to.”

Others, however, condemned the move.

“That was dirty, plain and simple,” wrote another fan. “There’s physical play, and then there’s assault. Pulling hair? Really?”

Former WNBA stars chimed in too. One anonymous retired player posted: “I love the fire, but not like this. There are lines you don’t cross — no matter what someone did before.”

Chennedy Carter Responds: “Try That Again and See What Happens”

Carter, known for her own fiery persona, responded just hours after the game with a pointed message on Instagram Live.

“You thought I was gonna run from that? Nah. I’ve been about this. You pull hair like we in high school? Cool. Try that again and see what happens.”

She didn’t mention Clark or Cunningham by name, but her message was clear.

“I’m not scared of anyone in this league. You want to throw hands? Do it when I’m ready.”

The WNBA has not yet announced any disciplinary action, but multiple league insiders report that fines and suspensions are likely.

Caitlin Clark’s Quiet Reaction

Interestingly, Caitlin Clark — often the center of controversy without saying a word — declined to comment on the incident when asked by reporters after her own game that night. But a leaked photo of her watching the viral clip on a teammate’s phone — covering her mouth in apparent shock — has only added more mystery and intrigue to the story.

Fans are already speculating: Did Clark know Cunningham was planning something? Did the Fever locker room talk about retaliation?

So far, the Fever organization has made no statement.

The League Office Responds

As the backlash grew, the WNBA finally released a brief statement:

“The WNBA is currently reviewing the altercation that took place during the Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky game. We are committed to upholding the integrity and sportsmanship of our league. Player safety and professional conduct remain our top priorities.”

No specific players were named, but sources say Cunningham could face a multi-game suspension if the league determines the act was intentional and dangerous.

Meanwhile, Carter may also be subject to fines if she is found to have escalated the situation verbally.

Is This the New WNBA?

As the WNBA experiences a meteoric rise in viewership, sponsorship, and media attention — thanks in large part to the arrival of rookies like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink — some fans worry that this level of intensity may start to damage the league’s image.

However, others argue the opposite: that rivalries, fights, and real emotion are exactly what fans want.

“Look at the NBA in the ‘90s,” one fan wrote. “Fights, rivalries, drama — it made the league what it is today. The WNBA is finally arriving, and this is part of the growing pains.”

The league is clearly at a crossroads: embrace the gritty, emotional edge that comes with rising popularity — or clamp down hard to protect the brand’s professionalism.

What Happens Next?

For now, all eyes are on the league office — and on Sophie Cunningham.

Her message, whether fans agree with it or not, was unmistakable: There is a line you don’t cross, and if you mess with her team or her people, there will be consequences.

In an era where every play, every foul, every glance is magnified and debated endlessly on social media, moments like these shape the narrative and define careers.

As for the fans?

They’re watching. They’re debating. And they’re definitely not turning away.