During Tuesday’s regular-season game between the Indiana Fever and the Dallas Wings, Sophie Cunningham expressed frustration after Paige Bueckers appeared to receive favorable calls from referees throughout the game. The tense contest ended narrowly in favor of the Wings, who won 81-80 in a hard-fought battle fueled by multiple intense moments on the court. Cunningham addressed her displeasure with the officiating the following day.
After the match, Cunningham spoke openly about her frustrations on the latest episode of her Show Me Something podcast, released Wednesday on YouTube. She focused on the repeated whistle calls in Bueckers’ favor that she found particularly aggravating amid the tight game.
“I love Paige to death, do not get me wrong,” Cunningham said (Time stamp: 19:46). “I think that she’s a hell of a player and I would love to play with her one day but those refs were giving her every freaking whistle last night. Like you literally couldn’t touch her and that sh*t is so annoying.”
—Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever guard
Dispute Over Flagrant Foul Highlights Refereeing Inconsistencies
The Fever-Wings game featured several moments that raised questions about the officiating quality, notably an incident where Cunningham was assessed a flagrant foul during a play involving Bueckers. Early in the first quarter, with just over seven minutes remaining, Bueckers attempted a catch-and-shoot three-pointer. Cunningham was defending closely and moved to contest the shot.
Bueckers released the ball just before Cunningham’s hand reached it, but momentum carried Cunningham into contact with Bueckers. The referees judged the contact excessive and penalized Cunningham with a flagrant foul, a call that affected her defensive approach for the remainder of the game. This decision drew criticism due to the apparent timing of the shot release and was seen as slowing down Cunningham’s aggressive defense, which may have influenced the game’s outcome.
By the final buzzer, Bueckers had recorded 16 points, five rebounds, and eight assists, while Cunningham contributed 14 points, two rebounds, and three assists for the Fever. Despite Cunningham’s efforts, the team fell just short in the narrow loss.
Cunningham’s Ongoing Concerns About League Officiating
Cunningham has been vocal about her belief that refereeing consistency remains a problem across the WNBA. She has publicly called out officiating on several occasions, a stance that has previously resulted in fines for criticizing the league’s officials. This recent game appears to have added to her growing unease with how calls are made, especially when they seem to influence the competitive balance.
Her comments underscore a broader conversation about how referees manage game flow and player safety, particularly in close matchups featuring young standout talents like Bueckers. Cunningham’s willingness to voice her frustrations highlights tensions between players and officials that could prompt further discussion within the league on improving clarity and fairness in officiating.