WNBA fines Sophie Cunningham $500 for flagrant foul on Chelsea Gray

The Indiana Fever guard was assessed a Flagrant 1 and one flagrant point after a reviewed first-quarter play in Game 1 against Las Vegas.

The WNBA has fined Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham $500 and assigned her one flagrant point after officials upgraded a first-quarter foul on Chelsea Gray to a Flagrant 1 in Indiana's playoff opener against the Las Vegas Aces. The decision followed a video review in Game 1 of the best-of-three first-round series at Michelob ULTRA Arena, which Las Vegas won 102-85.

The incident occurred when Cunningham moved out to contest a Gray shot near the perimeter during the opening quarter. Crews initially whistled a common foul, but the review showed Cunningham had stepped into the area Gray needed to safely land as she came down from her attempt, prompting the upgrade. Gray was awarded two free throws, and the Aces retained possession.

The penalty carried no suspension, leaving Cunningham eligible to continue playing for Indiana. League rules set a one-game ban once a player accumulates four flagrant points during the postseason.

Despite the sanction, Cunningham was productive in the opener. Working off the bench, she scored 13 points in 28 minutes 43 seconds, making three of six field goals — every make coming from beyond the arc — and converting all four of her free throws to go with one rebound and one steal. She was one of five Fever scorers in double figures, alongside Aliyah Boston's team-high 18 points, Caitlin Clark's 15 points and 10 assists, and Kelsey Mitchell's 12.

Las Vegas controlled Game 1 from early on, leading 27-23 after one quarter and 62-47 at halftime before stretching the margin as wide as 27 points. The Aces shot 59.4% from the field, while Indiana shot 44.8% and hit 12 of 31 attempts from three-point range.

A'ja Wilson powered the Aces with 38 points on 15-of-19 shooting, adding 16 rebounds and four blocks in a performance that equaled her best playoff scoring output. Jackie Young contributed 21 points and 10 assists, Gray finished with 14 points and eight assists, and Jewell Loyd scored 10.

Indiana answered in Game 2 on September 29, defeating the Aces 99-89 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to even the series. Las Vegas then won the deciding Game 3, 94-83, on October 1 at Michelob ULTRA Arena, claiming the series 2-1, advancing to the WNBA semifinals and ending the Fever's 2026 season.

Cunningham arrived at the playoffs after a regular season in which she appeared in 43 games for Indiana, averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists. She shot 41.9% from three-point range and 46% from the field overall, serving primarily as a reserve and an efficient outside-shooting option.

Indiana acquired Cunningham from the Phoenix Mercury in a four-team trade completed in early 2025. Phoenix had drafted her 13th overall in the second round in 2019, and she spent her first six WNBA seasons with the Mercury before re-signing with the Fever on a one-year deal for 2026.