“Don’t Mess With My Teammate” — Sophie Cunningham Sends Brutal Message After Hair-Pulling Retaliation Shakes Up WNBA

In a jaw-dropping moment that has sent shockwaves through the WNBA, Phoenix Mercury forward Sophie Cunningham made headlines not just for her performance on the court, but for a fiery act of retaliation that has now become the talk of the league. After witnessing Caitlin Clark take a hit to the face in a previous matchup, Cunningham took matters into her own hands—delivering a hard foul and yanking the hair of the player involved in the incident, reportedly leaving Connecticut Sun’s Jacy Sheldon visibly rattled.

What followed immediately after was Cunningham’s now-viral five-word message: “Don’t mess with my teammate.” Those words echoed far beyond the court, symbolizing an emotional turning point in what many fans and analysts have called a season full of unchecked aggression directed at Clark, the WNBA’s most high-profile rookie.

The moment occurred during the third quarter of a tense game between the Mercury and the Sun. Tensions were already high after multiple altercations in recent weeks involving Clark, who has been under intense physical pressure from defenders around the league. But when Cunningham entered the game and came face to face with Sheldon—the same player who struck Clark in the face during a heated scramble days earlier—the intensity reached a boiling point.

Video footage showed Cunningham stepping into Sheldon’s path, delivering a hard shoulder to the chest before grabbing a handful of Sheldon’s hair and pulling her off balance. The crowd erupted, half in shock and half in roaring support. Officials quickly intervened, separating the players and issuing a flagrant foul against Cunningham. Sheldon appeared visibly shaken, reportedly refusing to comment after the game.

Cunningham, however, made no attempt to hide her emotions. As she walked off the court, cameras captured her turning toward the Mercury bench and shouting the now-infamous phrase. Fans immediately began sharing the clip across social media platforms, with hashtags like #ProtectClark and #SophieSentTheMessage trending within minutes.

In her postgame interview, Cunningham didn’t back down. “I don’t play dirty, but I play loyal,” she said. “If you think you can get away with targeting my teammate, you better think again. Caitlin’s a rookie, but she’s one of us. And if the refs won’t protect her, I will.”

The WNBA has yet to issue an official ruling on the altercation, though league sources say a fine or suspension for Cunningham is under consideration. Still, public reaction has been largely in favor of the Phoenix forward. Fans, former players, and even sports commentators have applauded her fierce loyalty and leadership, with some suggesting that Cunningham did what the league and officials have failed to do—send a message that enough is enough.

WNBA legend Diana Taurasi weighed in during a halftime broadcast: “There’s a difference between tough defense and outright disrespect. Sophie’s move may have crossed the line, but sometimes it takes a bold statement to protect what matters.”

Caitlin Clark has yet to speak publicly about the incident, but sources close to the team say she was “deeply moved” by Cunningham’s gesture. The Mercury, riding the momentum from the emotional clash, went on to win the game in a close 87–83 finish.

As the WNBA continues to grapple with the balance between physical play and player safety, Cunningham’s actions may mark a pivotal moment in the league’s narrative—a moment when silence turned to resistance, and one fiery five-word message made sure the world was listening.