Sophie Cunningham Takes Brutal Elbow to the Head With No Foul Call, Responds With Priceless Clapback That Goes Viral Instantly
In what’s become one of the most talked-about moments of the 2025 WNBA season, Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham took a hard elbow to the head during a heated game and, in the absence of a foul call, delivered a fiery and unforgettable clapback that instantly went viral across social media and sports media platforms.
The incident occurred in the second quarter of a nationally televised matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx. With both teams jockeying for playoff positioning and tensions running high, the game was already physical and emotionally charged. Cunningham, known across the league for her toughness and fearless style of play, was guarding Lynx forward Diamond Miller on a drive to the basket when Miller, while attempting to clear space, flung her elbow backward and connected forcefully with Cunningham’s temple.
The crowd gasped as Cunningham immediately stumbled back, clutching the side of her head. The referees, however, swallowed their whistles and let play continue, drawing loud boos from the home crowd and incredulous reactions from Mercury players on the court. Replay footage quickly confirmed what fans in the arena and at home had seen: clear, direct contact to the head, a violation that would typically result in a flagrant foul review—or at minimum, a personal foul.
But to everyone’s disbelief, the officials allowed play to continue without any stoppage or review. Cunningham, stunned but not shaken, quickly gathered herself, shook it off, and got back on defense.
After the game, which the Mercury won in dramatic fashion, Cunningham didn’t hold back. While she refrained from directly criticizing the referees—mindful of league rules—she found a way to deliver her message with wit, fire, and characteristic swagger.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Cunningham wrote,
She followed it up with a photo of herself flexing in front of the Mercury bench, captioned,
The response was immediate. Fans, teammates, and fellow WNBA players lit up the platform with reactions, memes, and praise. The clapback was hailed as “elite,” “iconic,” and “peak Sophie.” Within an hour, the post had tens of thousands of likes and retweets, with hashtags like #BuiltDifferent and #ProtectSophie trending across U.S. sports circles.
Teammates were quick to echo her sentiments, with Mercury star Kahleah Copper tweeting,
Even Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts was visibly frustrated after the game when asked about the no-call.
“We’ve watched the tape. It’s pretty clear what happened,” Tibbetts said. “I’m proud of Sophie for not letting it take her out of the game. But that should’ve been reviewed. Player safety matters. Period.”
Cunningham’s ability to turn pain into performance has long defined her WNBA career. A gritty competitor who has become one of the Mercury’s most vocal leaders, she’s often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer while also being relied upon to knock down critical threes and make hustle plays. Though she might not be the flashiest player on the court, her impact is undeniable—and so is her ability to fire up both her team and the fans.
This wasn’t the first time Cunningham has been on the receiving end of physical play. In fact, her willingness to mix it up has made her both a fan favorite and a target. But what separates Cunningham from others is her ability to absorb hits and respond with poise and a little sarcasm—never letting her opponents or referees rattle her.
“I play hard. Always have,” she said in her postgame interview. “That’s the only way I know how. But I’m also going to stand up for myself and for what’s right. That was a missed call. Thankfully, I’m good, but not everyone is going to bounce back from that kind of hit.”
When asked if she expected the league to review the play or issue any disciplinary action, she simply smirked.
“I mean… they saw it just like we all did. I’ll let them do their job. I’ve got bigger things to worry about.”
Her performance post-elbow only reinforced her value. Cunningham finished the game with 15 points, five rebounds, and a team-high four steals. She sparked a second-half rally that saw the Mercury erase a double-digit deficit and seal the win with under two minutes remaining. Her ability to stay locked in, stay vocal, and stay fearless became the heartbeat of the Mercury’s effort.
“Sophie sets the tone,” said Copper. “She’s our engine. When she’s fired up, we all are. That elbow might’ve hurt, but it woke up the whole team.”
The Mercury, in the thick of a playoff race, have been surging lately, and Cunningham has been central to that resurgence. With Diana Taurasi in a reduced role due to age and injuries, younger leaders like Cunningham have stepped into the spotlight. This season, she’s averaging career highs in points, steals, and three-point percentage, and her defensive effort has garnered consideration for All-Defensive Team honors.
Her ability to deliver not just on the court but in the media sphere also reflects the new wave of WNBA athletes—players who understand that image, voice, and brand matter just as much as stat lines. Cunningham’s “clapback culture” has turned her into a social media favorite, a player who connects with younger fans through humor, authenticity, and toughness.
“I’m not going to be quiet when something doesn’t sit right,” she said postgame. “I’m also not going to cry about it. I’ll take it, give you a little something back, and keep winning.”
The league has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the play, though insiders believe a post-game review may result in a retroactive flagrant assessment or fine. Regardless of what happens behind closed doors, Cunningham’s response has already won her the court of public opinion.
For Phoenix fans, the moment has become an instant classic. Video clips of the elbow and Cunningham’s reaction are now in circulation with remixes, slow-motion edits, and commentary overlays. The team even leaned into the moment by posting a meme on their official Instagram account with a caption reading:
Opposing teams will now be on notice—both for what Sophie brings in terms of intensity and for how she can flip even the most brutal moment into an advantage. Her leadership style—tough, passionate, unapologetic—is exactly what this Mercury team has needed in a transitional year.
And while referees may miss calls, fans never miss the truth. Sophie Cunningham took an elbow to the head and didn’t just bounce back—she turned it into motivation, momentum, and a mic-drop moment that the entire WNBA took notice of.
Whether or not the league acts, one thing is certain: next time someone thinks about throwing an elbow at Sophie Cunningham, they better be ready for what comes next—not just on the scoreboard, but in the spotlight. Because in a league full of stars, Sophie just reminded everyone that toughness, grit, and the perfect clapback can steal the show.
