Mercury Guard Sophie Cunningham Demands Ref Accountability After First Career Ejection

The Phoenix Mercury suffered a tough loss at home to the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday night. Despite a one-point lead at the half, the Lynx scored 25 in the third quarter and outscored the Mercury 43-39 in the second half to get the win.

One big change the Mercury made was moving Sophie Cunningham to the bench and sliding in Monique Billings.

Despite the move, Cunningham scored 16 points off the bench with six rebounds in 26 minutes. Unfortunately, Cunningham's night ended early after being called for her first career ejection with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

Cunningham received both technical fouls late in the fourth quarter, and the second one led to her being tossed from the game.

In the postgame press conference, Cunningham spoke on the ejection and made sure to call out the WNBPA and ask for accountability from the officials.

"I think it's a good question for the Player's Association to maybe see the ref situation and how we can be better moving forward," Cunningham said. "As a group, we get fined for a lot of stuff. But I think they need to be held accountable too."

Cunningham was whistled for her first technical of the night after yelling at the ref.

Shortly after, she scored a basket and then proceeded to say some words to Napheesa Collier and Bridget Carleton, which led to the ejection.

The Mercury were called for three technical fouls on the night, with Cunningham receiving two of them.

Tensions were flying high, and things were getting chippy, but Cunningham certainly wasn't thrilled with being ejected from the game.

It will be worth keeping an eye on to see if the WNBA hands down some fine for Cunningham's public criticism of the officiating. After all, this is Cunningham's first-ever ejection in her sixth season in the WNBA.

The Mercury play next on September 1 at home against the Las Vegas Aces.

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