The Indiana Fever are already down in the trenches, and they can’t afford to lose matches heading into the playoffs. While they are sitting at a not-so-good record in the Eastern Conference, Sophie Cunningham is already feeling the weight.
After the Indiana Fever’s recent 81-80 loss to the Dallas Wings, a heated moment caught on camera had everybody buzzing. The Fever guard let loose a cuss word while arguing a foul call on Paige Bueckers.
Sophie Cunningham Comes Clean On Cuss Word
During the Wings game, Indiana stars were already looking to blow them up. And while they went neck to neck with Dallas, Cunningham’s fiery personality has landed her in the spotlight again. The drama unfolded late in the game at College Park Center, where Cunningham’s aggressive defense on Bueckers led to a flagrant foul call after a review.
sophie says “goddammit” after she sees the replay of that “foul”. should’ve been an offensive foul but the fever didn’t challenge. pic.twitter.com/YoyMzfXz63
— correlation (@nosyone4) August 13, 2025
Frustrated with the outcome, broadcast mics caught her muttering an expletive while debating the refs. Soon after the moment, a clip with somewhat clear audio exploded on X (formerly Twitter), went viral, and she knew she had to clarify something.
“I didn’t mean to say the Lords name in vain BUT…..” the star guard tweeted.
Cunningham’s apology came with a twist as she’s not backing down from her intensity. Additionally, the foul involved a contested three-point attempt by Bueckers, upgraded to a flagrant 1 after review, which Cunningham felt was harsh. However, the cuss word was a “heat-of-the-moment” reaction and not directly aimed at anyone.
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The incident follows a rough stretch for Cunningham, who’s been a spark off the bench, averaging 11.7 points and 56.3% from three over her last seven games. The loss dropped the Fever to 18-15, tightening their grip on the sixth playoff spot.
Stephanie White Had Sophie Cunningham’s Back
While Cunningham had her emotions flow on the court, her team got her back. In a post-game press conference, Fever coach Stephanie White vocalized her frustrations regarding the officiating. She also pointed out what she perceived as a double standard in the calls made during the game.
“There’s a double standard there, certainly. But, you know, if it’s going to be physical, and you’re going to allow us to be physical, then allow both teams to be physical. If you’re going to call the holds, and you’re going to call the chucks, then call it both ways. So, I mean, I think that we’ve been pretty consistent in what we’re asking for, and I didn’t feel like it was consistent,” White said.
Stephanie White calls out the refs for their double standards in calls:
— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) August 13, 2025
"I think there is a double standard in how people get their calls. KM is held or chucked on every freaking possession and never gets a call. AB is the worst officiated post player in the league." pic.twitter.com/rV5RY47XSv
White argued on Cunningham’s behalf that if the referees were going to allow a physical style of play, then both teams should be held to the same standard.