Follow us on Google Discover The WNBA will fine Sophie Cunningham after her action led to a Flagrant 1 foul in the Indiana Fever’s 102-85 loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs.
Cunningham had a great start to the postseason, coming off the bench for 13 points on 3-for-6 shooting for the Fever. Unfortunately, it was not enough in a one-sided loss to the reigning champions.
In addition to the loss, Cunningham left the game with an additional punishment from the WNBA that her fans don’t agree with and has lightened her pockets through a mandatory fine.
Sophie Cunningham will be fined for her Flagrant 1 foul
In the first quarter, Cunningham aggressively closed out on a Chelsea Gray three, with the referees calling for a Flagrant 1 violation because Sophie took away Gray’s landing space in a dangerous play.
The WNBA’s CBA clearly outlines that players will be fined for Flagrant 1 fouls, and the league’s 2026 disciplinary update lays out a $500 fine for players who receive this violation
Cunningham will have to lose out on that $500 to the league office, but her fans are vehemently opposing the justification for her foul to be upgraded to a Flagrant 1.
Fans can’t believe Sophie Cunningham was punished
Cunningham’s diehard fans were quick to accuse the WNBA of a conspiracy against their favorite player and the Fever based on this call.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
“How is that a flagrant???? Caitlin please start your own league, no one would ever watch the awful league you currently play in ever again,” said one fan.
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“What. A. Joke. I just can’t ever take this league seriously,” said a fan.
“What foul? The lady fell, she had a fall. There was no contact or intentional contact. Just incidental, as the draft she created when trying to block the shot caused the lady to fall backwards. It was the air, not Sophie,” said another fan.
“Take your choice. 1. The referees are blind. 2. The referees are on the take. 3. The referees were instructed to call against The Fever. 4. A combination of 2 & 3. Four is my choice. It’s hard not to have a payout without instructions. Shut down the league,” using this call to rant about the league being rigged.
Landing space violations are usually treated harshly, and the video evidence of a foul is hard to ignore. Cunningham intentionally ventured into Gray’s landing space, creating unnecessary contact, and prompting the referees to punish her by the letter of their law.
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