Context:

Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever gained significant popularity on TikTok, surpassing 1 million followers after defending her teammate Caitlin Clark during a game against the Connecticut Sun. The incident occurred when Cunningham retaliated against Jacy Sheldon, who had previously poked Clark in the eye, leading to Cunningham's ejection from the game. Despite facing a fine for her actions, Cunningham remained steadfast in her stance, emphasizing the need to protect her teammates and criticizing the lack of protection for star players by referees. Her viral moment boosted her social media presence, and she celebrated the milestone with her followers, further solidifying her bond with Clark and teammate Lexie Hull. The Fever, however, have been struggling in recent games, but they hope to rebound against the Seattle Storm in their upcoming match.

Dive Deeper:

• Sophie Cunningham's TikTok following skyrocketed to over 1 million after she defended Caitlin Clark during a heated game against the Connecticut Sun, marking a significant increase from her initial 300,000 followers.

• During the game, Cunningham was ejected for retaliating against Jacy Sheldon, who had earlier attacked Clark, and this act of defense made her an instant internet sensation.

• Cunningham was fined for her actions, but she defended her stance, criticizing the referees for failing to protect star players like Clark and emphasizing her role in safeguarding her teammates.

• Her newfound fame on TikTok was acknowledged by Cunningham in a celebratory post, where she expressed gratitude to her fans and joked about buying them a drink.

• Cunningham's relationship with her teammates, particularly Clark and Lexie Hull, was highlighted in a pre-game display of camaraderie, as she sported a themed shirt before facing the Las Vegas Aces.

• Despite the Fever's recent losing streak, Cunningham and her team are focused on turning their performance around in their upcoming game against the Seattle Storm.

• The incident and Cunningham's remarks have sparked discussions about player protection in the WNBA and the role of referees in ensuring fair play.