Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham erupt after a star of the Aces commits a brutal foul that nearly injures Lexie Hull

Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham raise the alarm after a reckless play on Lexie Hull. Tensions in the WNBA playoffs reached a new level when an unfortunate play set off alarms on the Indiana Fever bench.

In the third semifinal matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, a defensive play nearly resulted in an injury and immediately drew reactions from Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, who watched the game from the sidelines with evident concern.

The incident occurred when Lexie Hull attempted a jump shot near the free-throw line. Jewell Loyd, a Las Vegas player with a two-year, $491,016 contract, tried to block the shot.

As they fell, their feet got tangled, and Hull collapsed onto the court. The scene triggered concern among her teammates, who quickly spoke up about what they considered a dangerous play.

Caitlin and Sophie reactions to this foul on Lexie pic.twitter.com/osPyB4fePp

— ericaf455 (playoff version) (@ericaf455) September 27, 2025

Caitlin Clark and Cunningham, direct witnesses to the incident, reacted with outrage while pointing out what had happened to the referees.

Their response not only highlighted concern for Hull’s physical safety but also reflected growing frustration over the level of contact that has marked the series so far.

A series on the edge and rising tensions

Despite the scare, Lexie Hull delivered a memorable performance. With 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal, she became one of Indiana’s standout players on a night when Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham were unable to play.

Kelsey Mitchell also carried the team with 21 points, but the collective effort wasn’t enough to avoid an 84-72 loss.

The Las Vegas Aces, led by a deep rotation and the weight of their favorite status, took a 2-1 series lead and are now one win away from advancing to the finals.

Indiana Fever: pride, pressure, and a razor-thin margin for error

The absence of Caitlin Clark and Cunningham hasn’t stopped the Fever from competing with determination, especially after eliminating the Atlanta Dream in the first round.

However, the margin for error is now nonexistent. The fourth game, scheduled for this Sunday, will be a decisive test.