WNBA: Fines, Foul Upgrades Issued for Fever-Sun Scuffles; No Suspensions

WNBA Discipline: No Suspensions Following Intense Fever-Sun Game

The WNBA has announced its disciplinary actions following Tuesday’s contentious game between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun, which featured multiple physical altercations and ejections. Despite the heated moments on the court, the league has opted not to issue any suspensions to players involved.

However, the league did hand down fines and review initial calls, resulting in upgrades to certain fouls.

Key Disciplinary Actions:

Marina Mabrey’s Technical Upgraded: Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey’s technical foul assessed during the game has been reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 2 foul. This foul occurred in the third quarter when Mabrey forcefully shoved Fever star Caitlin Clark to the floor. While not initially called as a Flagrant 2 on the court (a decision that reportedly caused confusion among broadcasters and viewers), the league’s review determined the contact met the criteria for “unnecessary and excessive contact.” Mabrey also received a fine associated with the upgraded foul.
Sophie Cunningham Fined Again: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who received a Flagrant 2 foul and immediate ejection in the final minute for a hard foul on Connecticut’s Jacy Sheldon, will face an additional fine. This extra fine is specifically for her role in the ensuing scuffle that erupted under the basket.

No Suspensions: Crucially, the WNBA confirmed that no players from either team will be suspended for their actions in Tuesday’s incidents.

Escalating Tensions on the Court

The game, won by the Fever 88-71, saw tensions build throughout the night. The chippiness reached a boiling point midway through the third quarter during the sequence involving Clark, Sheldon, and Mabrey. After Sheldon appeared to poke Clark in the eye while defending her, Clark responded by shoving Sheldon away. It was immediately after this that Mabrey stepped in and pushed Clark to the ground.

This initial third-quarter incident led to several fouls and technicals. Sheldon received a Flagrant 1, while Clark, Mabrey (initially a technical), and Sun center Tina Charles were all assessed technical fouls. An official’s pool report after the game noted that the crew initially felt Mabrey’s contact didn’t warrant an ejection or Flagrant 2 classification during live action, a ruling later overturned by the league’s review. Mabrey was reportedly booed by the Indiana crowd for the remainder of the game after receiving her initial technical.

The most significant melee occurred in the game’s final minute. With the Fever holding a large lead, Cunningham committed a hard foul on Sheldon as she drove for a breakaway layup, pulling Sheldon to the ground (with some reports noting Cunningham also pulled Sheldon’s hair). This immediately led to Sheldon and teammate Lindsay Allen confronting Cunningham. The situation quickly escalated into a skirmish involving players from both sides, coaches, and security personnel trying to separate them. On-court officials assessed Cunningham a Flagrant 2 and ejected her, also ejecting Sheldon and Allen for fighting. Sheldon and Allen received standard technical foul fines for their ejections.

Coaches Critical of Officiating

Following the game, both head coaches voiced frustration, specifically regarding the officiating and its perceived role in allowing the tension to escalate.

Indiana Coach Stephanie White was particularly critical, stating that “everybody [in the league] is getting better, except the officials.” She added that she had spoken to officials early in the game because “You could tell it was going to happen… So, they’ve got to get control of it. They’ve got to be better.” Connecticut Coach Rachid Meziane called Cunningham’s late-game foul a “stupid foul,” given the game situation.

As of Wednesday afternoon, neither coach had been fined for their postgame remarks.

The Fever’s victory clinched their spot in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game on July 1 against the Minnesota Lynx.

Tuesday’s contest was the second of four scheduled meetings between the Fever and Sun this season. They are set to face each other twice more later in the year.

The Sun are scheduled to play the Phoenix Mercury next, while the Fever head to the West Coast for a game against Golden State.