The Indiana Fever‘s 2025 WNBA season took a hit on August 12 with an 81-80 loss at home against the Dallas Wings, dropping their record to 18-15. Sophie Cunningham, a key player for the Fever, showed visible frustration over a questionable foul call involving Wings rookie Paige Bueckers during the tightly contested game, highlighting Sophie Cunningham foul call frustration as a central theme of the evening.
A Contentious Foul Decision Fuels Cunningham’s Frustration
In the second quarter, about a minute before halftime, Cunningham was closely guarding Paige Bueckers when Bueckers pushed Cunningham slightly to create space. Cunningham was pushed backward with her arms raised, prompting an immediate reaction when the whistle blew. Contrary to what many expected, the referee called the foul on Cunningham instead of Bueckers, an outcome that visibly upset her.
After signaling to the Fever’s bench to contest the call, Cunningham eventually stopped appealing and turned her attention to the arena’s jumbotron, which replayed the play. Upon seeing the replay, her frustration boiled over, and she was captured on ESPN yelling, “Goddammit!” just before the game resumed.
“Goddammit!” —Sophie Cunningham
The incident was widely shared on social media, with user @nosyone4 posting the clip and commenting that the foul should have been offensive but the Fever did not challenge the call. Many viewers sympathized with Cunningham, believing her anger was justified given the circumstances.
Additional Controversies Compound Cunningham’s Difficult Night
The contentious foul was not the only moment of tension between Cunningham and Bueckers. Cunningham was also called for a flagrant foul later in the game for not providing enough space for Bueckers to land after a three-point attempt. Observers noted that Cunningham was positioned beside Bueckers rather than directly in her path, making the flagrant call especially harsh.
Despite putting up a solid 14 points, Cunningham’s night was marred by these unfavorable calls and external challenges. Earlier in the day, her car had broken down, forcing her to walk to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in high heels, setting a difficult tone before the game began.
The Impact of Controversial Calls on the Fever’s Outlook
Cunningham’s visible frustration underscores the broader challenges the Indiana Fever face this season, especially when closely contested refereeing decisions do not go their way. The dispute over the foul calls could affect team morale and might prompt the Fever to be more aggressive in challenging questionable decisions moving forward.
As the Fever look ahead, maintaining focus and resilience despite these setbacks will be crucial. How the team adjusts to these circumstances and supports players like Cunningham could determine their ability to close the season on a stronger note at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and beyond.