Sophie Cunningham (Photo By Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Tuesday night’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun wasn’t just another regular-season game, it ended with a moment that had fans and coaches buzzing well after the final whistle.

Sophie Cunningham, never one to shy away from physical play, delivered a late-game foul that sent Jacy Sheldon to the ground and sparked a heated reaction from both sidelines.

Cunningham, who’s already earned a reputation for standing up for her teammates, didn’t exactly hide her intentions. Her hard foul in the final minute looked like a calculated response to earlier plays that left Caitlin Clark shaken up. Sheldon had poked Clark in the eye during a third-quarter defensive sequence, and Marina Mabrey followed it up by shoving the rookie guard to the floor.

By the time Cunningham stepped in, it felt like a message had been brewing.

Cunningham Stands Firm, Meziane Criticizes Decision

Connecticut Sun Coach Rips Into Sophie Cunningham After Heated GameSophie Cunningham in heated fight (Photo By Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
Even as fans debated the call, Connecticut Sun head coach Rachid Meziane didn’t hold back when asked about the situation.

 

“When you are winning a game by 17 points and you doing this stupid foul, this is just disrespectful,” Meziane said postgame. “I don’t know how Jacy and Lindsay [got] rejected from the game when they did nothing.”

While Meziane called the foul “completely stupid,” Cunningham appeared unfazed. She posted a photo of herself with arms stretched out on her Instagram Story, a gesture that many interpreted as a quiet jab at Sheldon and the Sun.

The post didn’t include a caption, but it didn’t need one. Her message was loud enough.

Cunningham hasn’t offered a formal comment, but those close to the Fever know what she brings to the court. She’s vocal, physical, and fiercely loyal to her teammates. That didn’t go unnoticed by fans, who quickly rallied behind her on social media.

“I knew Sophie was going to get that get back for Caitlin today,” one fan wrote. “Sophie is definitely the enforcer of this team.”

The WNBA hasn’t announced whether it will fine or suspend Cunningham, but for now, she’s eligible to play Thursday night against the Golden State Valkyries. The Fever and Sun will clash again on July 15, and if tensions stay high, that rematch could bring more than basketball.

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’