The Indiana Fever defeated the Connecticut Sun 99-93 in overtime at Mohegan Sun Arena. However, this heated victory was marred by the injury to Fever point guard Sophie Cunningham with just under eight minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Bria Hartley collided with the 28-year-old point guard while attempting a pass, who landed awkwardly on her right knee, collapsing to the floor and clutching her leg in obvious pain. Sophie had to be helped off the court and was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Mabrey’s reaction
However, Marina Mabrey was willing to help, which came as a surprise.
During a previous game between the Sun and the Fever on June 17, she had an altercation with Caitlin Clark. The Indiana star was elbowed in the eye by Jacy Sheldon. In response, CC pushed her, and then Marina Mabrey pushed Clark to the ground.
After the altercation and near the end of the game, Sophie did not forgive Sheldon and did not hesitate to defend her teammate, committing a hard foul on her, which resulted in both of them being ejected. For that action, Cunningham was nicknamed “The Enforcer.”
And of course, from that moment on, things were tense enough that Marina’s reaction surprised fans and rivals alike.
Mabrey was one of the first people to approachSophie immediately after the incident to assist her. The Sun point guard showed concern for her and even offered to help the Indiana players hold Gatorade towels and cover Sophie.
And that wasn’t all. After Kelsey Mitchell’s brilliant performance and 38 points, Marina didn’t hesitate to shake her hand and congratulate her on her performance. This reaction surprised but pleased the Fever star, who was giving an interview to the press and stopped to greet her.
Mabrey is an intense competitor, but she also made clear the great respect and admiration she feels for her rivals. Will this change the perception that Fever fans and players have of her?
Read the full article here
