WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers responded to Sophie Cunningham after the latter blasted league officials over the treatment of the former UConn star. Cunningham likened Bueckers getting calls like if she were a 10-year vet getting special treatment.
Bueckers didn’t have too much of a retort to the Indiana Fever star. Cunningham’s in her first season with Indiana, playing alongside Caitlin Clark, following six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury.
Basically, Cunningham had gripes with referees considering Clark does not receive the same treatment in her mind. As far as Bueckers, the emerging Dallas Wings star, was concerned, it was a nothing burger. At least publicly.
“Everyone is entitled to their own unique personal opinion,” Bueckers said. Cunningham’s comments came from her podcast Show Me Something.
Cunningham prefaced her comments by complimenting Bueckers, but then went in on those officials for the favorable whistle that she thinks they gave to Bueckers. It was in contrast to the one given to her teammates with Indiana.
“But, like, I love Paige to death. Do not get me wrong. I think, like, again, she’s a hell of a player and would, like, love to play with her one day. But, those refs were giving her every freakin’ whistle last night,” Cunningham said. “Like, you literally couldn’t touch her, couldn’t touch her and that shit is so annoying to me. And, if you’re going to do that, then give it to our guards. Like, I just hate the inconsistency.”
In the one-point win in Indianapolis, Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and overwhelming favorite to be Rookie of the Year, scored 16 points (31.6% FG, 0-4 3PT) with eight assists, five rebounds, two steals, and four turnovers. Still, Bueckers went to the stripe and made all four of her attempts from the free throw line as she drew fouls during the game, namely a flagrant one on her in the first quarter by Cunningham herself. That brought her to 110 free-throw attempts on the year, which averages out to 4.2 trips to the line per game.
Cunningham hasn’t been afraid to speak her thoughts, especially now that her presence online has grown. This just might be another instance where she hears from the league about it, considering the criticism of their officials.
Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report
