Tensions boiled over during a heated matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun when Sophie Cunningham made sure her presence was felt in dramatic fashion.

Despite the Fever holding a 20-point lead, tempers flared late in the game. Early on, Caitlin Clark and Sun guard Jacy Sheldon exchanged heated words, setting the stage for what would become a physical confrontation. Teammates quickly stepped in to keep things from escalating — but that truce didn’t last long.

Sophie Cunningham in fight

In the third quarter, Marina Mabrey of the Sun shoved Clark to the floor, further igniting the tension.

But the real chaos erupted in the final minutes. As Jacy Sheldon drove to the basket, Cunningham grabbed her by the neck and slammed her to the court — then yanked her hair as other players swarmed in. The court turned into a full-blown scrum, with benches clearing to break up the scuffle.

Referees ejected Cunningham, Sheldon, and Lindsay Allen for their roles in the melee. Cunningham left the game with five points and seven rebounds — but it’s safe to say her ejection overshadowed her stat line.

Sophie Cunningham Called Out For Repeating Outfit Just One Week Into The Season

Fans online had mixed reactions: some cheered her for standing up for her team, while others called her actions excessive and unsportsmanlike.

Azeez Al-Shaair Speaks Out After Suspension for Brutal Hit

Meanwhile, in the NFL, Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair broke his silence about the illegal hit that knocked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence out of action and sparked a sideline brawl.

Back on December 1, Al-Shaair delivered a dangerous blow to Lawrence, who was already sliding to avoid contact. The impact left Lawrence sidelined for weeks and earned Al-Shaair a three-game suspension.

Reflecting on the incident in a candid social media post, Al-Shaair admitted that letting his emotions get the best of him was both embarrassing and eye-opening. He said he never wants to risk everything he’s worked for because of a moment of lost control.

During his suspension, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league leaders, challenging how his behavior was described in the suspension announcement. Al-Shaair felt the wording painted him unfairly as a repeat offender.

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

He also acknowledged that earlier this season he was involved in another incident, punching Chicago Bears’ Roschon Johnson during a sideline scuffle, even though Johnson wasn’t on the field at the time.

Despite his regrets, Al-Shaair emphasized that he is determined to learn from the experience and continue to represent the league with integrity — promising fans he’ll return with a clear head and stronger resolve.