Sophie Cunningham speaks out about Paige Bueckers, and the WNBA hits her with another fine

Sophie Cunningham doesn’t hide behind the mic. The Indiana Fever guard has once again sparked debate in the WNBA, this time after receiving her third fine of the season. The latest penalty came after Cunningham made comments about Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers. According to Cunningham, the referees blatantly favored Bueckers during the August 12 matchup, which ended in a tight 81-80 loss for Indiana. Still, Sophie insists she didn’t say anything wrong.

On her podcast “Show Me Something,” Sophie Cunningham vented her frustration with a mix of sarcasm and honesty. “I’m officially 3-for-3 on fines this season. I didn’t say anything bad about Paige Bueckers. But apparently, they didn’t like what I had to say.” What Cunningham did say was that the refs “gave her every whistle” and that “you literally couldn’t touch her.” While she made it clear she respects Bueckers’ talent, the player  didn’t hold back her irritation over what she sees as inconsistent officiating.

Sophie censored?

Paige Bueckers responded with diplomacy. In later comments, the Dallas player avoided controversy and simply said, “Every player has the right to their opinion.” With that, she shut down the fire. But on social media, things took a different turn. Indiana Fever fans rallied behind Sophie Cunningham, accusing the league of silencing players who speak their minds. Some even joked that Cunningham should start a GoFundMe to pay off her fines. Others praised her for “saying what many are thinking.”

Sophie got fined again lmfao

“I’m officially 3 for 3 on being fined by the WNBA. They didn’t like my comments on Paige Bueckers.” pic.twitter.com/GnZcHu3uWP

— correlation (@nosyone4) August 20, 2025

The original report by Sportskeeda highlighted how this latest incident has once again placed Sophie Cunningham at the center of the conversation around free speech in professional sports. It’s not the first time the WNBA has fined a player for public statements, but Cunningham’s case stands out for its frequency—and for the wave of support she’s received from fans.

Controversies, fines, and injuries

And as if the controversy weren’t enough, Sophie Cunningham has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear in her right knee. Despite the injury, Cunningham wrapped up her first season with Indiana averaging 8.6 points per game and shooting an impressive 43.2% from three-point range, proving herself as a key perimeter threat.

This episode underscores the growing tension between players and the WNBA. It also raises questions about how rising stars like Paige Bueckers are treated compared to outspoken veterans like Sophie Cunningham. Injured but louder than ever, Cunningham continues to show that her impact reaches far beyond the hardwood.