The Indiana Fever’s 88-71 win over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night clinched a Commissioner’s Cup championship berth—but the game may be remembered more for its physicality and fallout than the result on the scoreboard.
Tensions boiled over repeatedly throughout the contest, culminating in a late-game scuffle and three ejections. The WNBA reviewed the events Wednesday, upgrading a foul and issuing fines, but ultimately deciding not to hand out suspensions.
League Upgrades Mabrey Foul, Fines Cunningham
The most intense moment came with under a minute remaining when Fever guard Sophie Cunningham committed a hard foul on Jacy Sheldon to stop a transition layup. Cunningham wrapped Sheldon around the head, and the confrontation escalated as players from both teams rushed in.
Referees reviewed the incident and ejected Cunningham, Sheldon, and Sun guard Lindsay Allen. The league later fined Cunningham for the foul, but did not suspend her.
Earlier in the game, Sun guard Marina Mabrey had been assessed a technical foul for knocking down Caitlin Clark after Clark gave Sheldon a light shove in response to being poked in the eye. The league upgraded Mabrey’s technical to a flagrant-2 upon further review, which carries a standard fine.
Crew chief Ashley Gloss explained while Mabrey’s third-quarter bump was initially seen as a technical foul, it did not rise to an ejection during the game. However, Cunningham’s contact met the criteria for a flagrant-2, and Sheldon and Allen were considered “escalators” after the play.
Despite speculation on social media about Cunningham’s role as an “enforcer” for Indiana and her perceived lack of remorse, the league opted for fines only.
Clark Deflects, White Warns of Escalation
Clark, back for her second game following a quad injury, finished with 20 points, six assists and two steals, hitting 4-of-6 from 3-point range in the win. She declined to discuss the extracurriculars during her postgame press conference.
“You guys came for basketball; let’s talk about basketball,” Clark said.
Fever head coach Stephanie White took a different tone, saying she warned officials early that the game could spiral.
“I started talking to the officials in the first quarter, and we knew this was going to happen,” White said. “You could tell it was going to happen. So, they’ve got to get control of it. They’ve got to be better.”
Clark and Sheldon had gone back and forth throughout the game—a carry over from their Big Ten battles in college—and their matchup hit a flashpoint in the third quarter. Sheldon accidentally poked Clark in the eye, prompting a shove from Clark. Mabrey then knocked Clark down and received the initial technical.
Fever Clinch Final Berth, Sun Voice Frustration
Indiana sealed its spot in the Commissioner’s Cup title game and will face the Minnesota Lynx on July 1 (8 pm ET). Alongside Clark’s efficient outing, Natasha Howard added 16 points and 12 rebounds to help pace the Fever.
But even after the result, frustrations lingered—particularly regarding the game’s officiating. Sun center Olivia Nelson-Ododa echoed White’s comments on the referees’ inability to contain the game’s rising intensity.
“Obviously, there was a physical game tonight,” she said. “I think when things aren’t managed well to begin with that it tends to get out of hand. I feel like a lot of stuff was escalating throughout the game, and that’s what happens when you don’t make the proper calls or officiate the game and manage it the right way.”
The Fever and Sun won’t meet again until July 15, but after Tuesday night’s events, the rematch will likely come with plenty of emotion—and even closer officiating.
[related-pick]
