Paige Bueckers, a rising star in the WNBA, responded to Sophie Cunningham’s recent criticism regarding the officiating in the league. Cunningham, currently playing for the Indiana Fever, accused referees of giving Bueckers treatment akin to that of a veteran player, implying special favors during games. This conversation arose amid growing debate over perceived inconsistencies in calls made by WNBA referees.

Cunningham, who joined Indiana this season after six years with the Phoenix Mercury and plays alongside Caitlin Clark, expressed frustrations about the differing treatment of players like Bueckers and Clark when it comes to officiating. Bueckers, the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and a leading contender for Rookie of the Year, didn’t engage deeply with Cunningham’s comments but acknowledged differing opinions.

Details Behind the Refereeing Controversy Raised by Cunningham

Sophie Cunningham voiced her concerns about the inconsistent manner in which referees call fouls during games, specifically mentioning Bueckers’ advantage in receiving favorable whistles. Cunningham made these remarks on her podcast, Show Me Something, where she also complimented Bueckers before criticizing league officials. She pointed out her frustration over the disparity in calls, especially when her own teammates on the Indiana Fever do not get similar treatment.

On the night of a narrow one-point victory in Indianapolis, Bueckers scored 16 points, albeit with a modest shooting percentage, alongside eight assists and five rebounds. Notably, she successfully converted all four of her free-throw attempts. Across the season, Bueckers has averaged approximately 4.2 trips to the free-throw line per game, compiling 110 attempts so far—a statistic that Cunningham implicitly challenged as part of her argument about preferential calls.

Reflecting on Cunningham’s criticism, Bueckers stated,

“Everyone is entitled to their own unique personal opinion,”

highlighting a calm and measured approach to the accusations.

Cunningham’s Comments Reflect Broader Concerns About Officiating

With her platform growing, Cunningham has not held back her views on the WNBA officiating, which may draw additional scrutiny toward league referees. She expressed particular annoyance with the way calls favored Bueckers, saying,

“But, like, I love Paige to death. Do not get me wrong. I think, like, again, she’s a hell of a player and would, like, love to play with her one day. But, those refs were giving her every freakin’ whistle last night,”

and added,

“Like, you literally couldn’t touch her, couldn’t touch her and that shit is so annoying to me. And, if you’re going to do that, then give it to our guards. Like, I just hate the inconsistency.”

These remarks underscore Cunningham’s frustration about perceived inconsistency in officiating standards during games involving the Indiana Fever.

Potential Implications for the WNBA and Officiating Standards

Cunningham’s outspoken views may provoke responses from the league, which has faced previous criticism regarding its officials. As Bueckers continues her promising rookie season with the Dallas Wings, the debate over referee impartiality and consistency might intensify, especially as the league evaluates its standards and public perception. The discussion also sheds light on the pressures windowed young stars face while trying to establish themselves in a competitive professional environment.

Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report.