Several days ago, the Las Vegas Aces officially eliminated the Indiana Fever from the WNBA Playoffs, but that doesn't mean the players are done reacting to the fallout from recent controversies. Among those controversies was a heated altercation in the fourth quarter of Game 2 involving Aces superstar A'ja Wilson and a fan in Indiana. After a foul was called on Sophie Cunningham while she was trying to defend Wilson in the lane, the fan stood up from their seat several rows past the baseline, pointed at Wilson, and shouted something at her.
Wilson took exception to what the fan did and/or said, prompting her to shout at the individual, point at them, and then leave the court to confront them in their seat. Arena security and teammates intervened to get Wilson away from the crowd area, de-escalating the heated confrontation. Wilson received a technical foul for leaving the court to confront the fan.
Although security briefly removed the fan from their seat for Fever security to investigate the altercation, the fan was allowed to return to their seat. The Athletic's James Boyd reported the Fever's statement on the incident. Just days after Thursday night's Game 3, in which the Fever lost 94-83 to end their playoff run, Cunningham appeared on a new episode of her "No Hesitation" podcast with co-host Drew Hanlen and sounded off on Wilson's actions from Game 2.
More news: Fever’s Raven Johnson Apologizes for Stirring Up A’ja Wilson Controversy "Us women in sports, we yell that we want equality, that we want to be treated like the men, that we want all this stuff and we deserve all these things, and we do, we do deserve it," Cunningham said. "But if you're asking for all these fans to come, and you have new fans who are real sports fans, and they come and do something that a sports fan would probably do if you're on the opposing team, like, then we're gonna go for them for just pointing, saying that you fouled, like grow up. Like, what are we doing?" she said.
"I've heard the worst of the worst. Like, who cares?" Cunningham said, indicating that she's been attacked by people for maybe "two seasons" over what she stands for and her character. Cunningham, known for being controversial and outspoken throughout the past several seasons, indicated players "should be thankful for playing basketball for a living and inspiring the next generation." "If you really want sports fans, then you're gonna get sports fans, and that includes pointing.
That includes getting yelled at, probably getting called names. With all the praise and good things that come with it, you also gotta look at the negative side," she said, adding, "I don't think [the fan] did absolutely anything wrong." Cunningham said that "could've been cause for a suspension" for Wilson, but added, "she's like the LeBron James of our league, and so of course they're not gonna suspend her." "I think that makes for a double standard," she said, about there being no repercussions beyond a technical foul for Wilson, but also admitted, "We wanted her to play. I think that makes for good basketball." Wilson was fired up in Game 3 in Las Vegas and had an impressive performance, leading her team to victory with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
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