The WNBA has reviewed the physical altercations that took place during Tuesday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun, issuing updated penalties and fines following the heated contest. The league’s decisions include upgrading a technical foul assessed in-game and levying additional discipline for multiple players involved in late-game skirmishes.
Key Incidents Trigger League Review
The game, won by the Fever 88-71, featured several notable physical moments, particularly late in the third quarter. One major incident began when Sun guard Jacy Sheldon made contact near Fever star Caitlin Clark’s face. Clark reacted by shoving Sheldon. Immediately after, Sun forward Marina Mabrey pushed Clark to the floor, leading to a brief confrontation between players.
During the game, officials initially assessed a flagrant foul on Sheldon for the contact with Clark, while technical fouls were called on Clark and Sun center Tina Charles for unsportsmanlike conduct. Mabrey received only a technical foul for her push on Clark – a call that notably caused confusion among broadcast commentators and viewers who felt the contact warranted an ejection.
WNBA Upgrades Foul on Mabrey
Following a post-game review, the WNBA announced Wednesday that Marina Mabrey’s technical foul has been formally upgraded to a Flagrant 2 foul. This decision means Mabrey will now face the standard fine associated with a Flagrant 2. Had this foul been called a Flagrant 2 during live play, Mabrey would have been ejected from the game. The league’s review effectively superseded the initial explanation given by the crew chief in the pool report, who had stated Mabrey’s action didn’t meet the criteria for an ejection or Flagrant 2 at the time. The initial technical fouls assessed to Clark and Charles remain in place.
Additional Altercation Results in Ejections, Fines
Later in the same quarter, another significant physical exchange occurred. With under a minute remaining, Fever guard Sophie Cunningham committed a hard foul on Jacy Sheldon as Sheldon drove to the basket, wrapping her up and pulling her down. Sheldon immediately confronted Cunningham, with Sun guard Lindsay Allen joining the fray.
Officials reviewed this incident and assessed Sophie Cunningham a Flagrant 2 foul, resulting in her ejection from the game. Jacy Sheldon and Lindsay Allen were also assessed technical fouls for fighting and were ejected. Beyond the standard Flagrant 2 fine, the league imposed an additional fine on Cunningham for her actions.
Despite the multiple Flagrant 2 fouls and ejections during the game, the WNBA has confirmed that no players from either the Fever or the Sun will face suspensions as a result of the fouls or altercations that occurred. The Fever’s victory secured their spot in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game.
