Sophie Cunningham Backs Sabrina Ionescu’s Criticism of Officiating: “We’ve Felt It Too”

Following Sabrina Ionescu’s pointed remarks about inconsistent officiating after the New York Liberty’s loss to the Minnesota Lynx, another voice has entered the conversation—this time from the Indiana Fever locker room.

Veteran guard Sophie Cunningham has publicly supported Ionescu’s stance, sharing that she and her teammates, particularly rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, have also been on the receiving end of questionable officiating throughout the season.

“Sabrina’s absolutely right,” Cunningham told reporters on Tuesday. “There’s a real lack of consistency, and it’s something we’ve felt all season—especially when it comes to how physical play is being called against us.”

Cunningham referenced several instances in which both she and Clark were subjected to excessive contact without calls, some of which resulted in or contributed to injuries. Cunningham herself recently missed several games due to a shoulder injury sustained during what she described as a “non-basketball play” that received no whistle.

“When I went down, no call. When Caitlin gets hit on drives or off-ball cuts—sometimes it’s ignored completely,” Cunningham said. “We’re told to play through contact, but there’s a difference between toughness and neglect.”

The Indiana Fever have been one of the most-watched teams in the WNBA this season, thanks to the arrival of Clark and a strong core of young talent. However, with increased attention has also come intensified physicality—and, according to Cunningham, a concerning lack of protection from referees.

Cunningham emphasized that her comments weren’t about seeking favoritism but rather about ensuring a safe and fair playing environment for all athletes.

“This isn’t about getting superstar calls—it’s about getting the same calls,” she said. “Whether you’re a rookie or a vet, playing in New York or Indiana, the whistle should be the same.”

Her remarks align with a growing chorus of players across the league who have expressed frustration over officiating inconsistencies. Ionescu’s recent postgame comments were particularly notable, as she highlighted a 33–8 free throw disparity that heavily influenced the outcome of the Liberty’s game against the Lynx.

“What happened to Sabrina and her team isn’t isolated,” Cunningham added. “You see it in other matchups too. And until we get some transparency and accountability, these conversations will keep happening.”

Cunningham also called on the WNBA and its officiating department to review recent game footage and implement clearer standards for physical play—especially as the postseason approaches and the intensity rises.

“We’re all competitors. We know the game gets tougher this time of year,” she said. “But protecting players and ensuring fair play shouldn’t be negotiable.”

With Caitlin Clark still recovering from a groin injury and the Fever fighting to stay in playoff contention, Cunningham’s words serve both as a warning and a plea: the league must ensure that talent is protected—not punished—by inconsistent whistles.