Tensions erupted during the Indiana Fever’s heavy 95-60 defeat to the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday, as Sophie Cunningham was involved in a heated confrontation with her former teammate DeWanna Bonner.
The incident occurred after Bonner forcefully stole the ball from Cunningham right after an inbound pass. Cunningham responded with a hard foul, prompting an official review. While referees examined the play, emotions flared on the court.
Cunningham engaged in a fiery exchange with Bonner and Phoenix forward Satou Sabally. Fever forward Damiris Dantas stepped in to restrain Cunningham, who continued shouting toward her opponents.
Fallout from short-lived stint as teammates
Officials ruled the foul as a clear-path violation, awarding the Mercury two free throws and possession of the ball. But the real spotlight was on the visible tension between Cunningham and Bonner – former teammates in Indiana whose brief time together did not end amicably.
Both players arrived in Indiana as offseason signings. While Cunningham quickly carved out a consistent role, Bonner‘s time with the team was short. After just nine appearances, Bonner took a personal leave and was ultimately waived. She later returned to Phoenix, where she had spent the first 11 years of her WNBA career.
While neither player revealed what was said during the exchange, it was clear the past still lingered. The confrontation, charged with visible frustration, suggested unresolved issues between the two.
Bonner, now a six-time All-Star, appeared unfazed as she helped guide the Mercury to one of their biggest wins of the season. Cunningham, meanwhile, has built a reputation for her gritty, intense playing style – and Thursday’s flare-up was another reminder of the edge she brings to every game.
The Fever‘s loss drops them further in a season already marked by growing pains and inconsistency. But the confrontation between Cunningham and Bonner added another layer of intrigue to the matchup, one that fans won’t forget anytime soon.
Their next meeting could be months away, but if Thursday night is any indication, the tension between these two is far from over.
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