"Paige got that ultra special whistle" - Fever fans react to Sophie Cunningham's outburst after getting shoved by Paige Bueckers

Sophie Cunningham had a short outburst late in the second quarter of the Indiana Fever's 81-80 loss to the Dallas Wings on Tuesday night. Cunningham thought she was pushed by Paige Bueckers and wanted an offensive foul to be called. However, the referees called the Fever forward for a personal foul, which prompted angry reactions from fans on social media.

With less than two minutes left in the first half, Cunningham was called for a personal foul on Bueckers. She held the Wings guard, who pushed her off before a whistle was blown.

Cunningham saw the replay and appeared upset that she was the one called for a foul despite being shoved. She signaled for a possible challenge, but the coaching staff did not heed her request. The Fever had a challenge, but coach Stephanie White decided to save it and let the game continue.

With the final score being 81-80, a challenge could have changed the outcome for Indiana.

Here's a video of the incident.

Indiana Fever fans were furious that Bueckers wasn't called for an offensive foul. They accused the referees of favoring the Wings guard.

"Bro Paige got that ultra special whistle," one fan wrote.

Krypto

@Rjdubb0605

Bro Paige got that ultra special whistle

C

@C038254

This is a terrible call. Perfect angle too. 🧐

Dan

@yyzr30

Paige got a special whistle tonight… bout the fourth time

Danielle (3am version)

@failwolf1

Steph not using her challenges irritates me like no other but honestly she has to know Paige has a special whistle and probably thought she’d lose the challenge because of that.

ssacc

@ssacc22

And next time we’re gonna get called for breathing wrong atp

Hull Court Lockdown

@_lex_factor

@nosyone4 The officiating this game has been beyond bad. It’s usually bad…but this is something new

Fever fans are not the only ones who have been critical of the officiating this season. Other fanbases, WNBA players and even coaches have called for improvements.

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Stephanie White speaks on Sophie Cunningham's impact on Fever

Stephanie White speaks on Sophie Cunningham's impact on Fever. (Photo: GETTY)

Amid Caitlin Clark's absence due to injury, the Indiana Fever have made adjustments to stay afloat in the playoff race. One of the players who has stepped up is Sophie Cunningham, who was acquired in the offseason via trade.

Stephanie White had nothing but praise for Cunningham before the Fever's game against the Dallas Wings on Tuesday.

"Her energy, her bubbly personality, her competitive fire," White said. "I mean, I don’t know that I would say anyone on our team outside Sophie and (Clark) would have been spicy before, but it is. It's something that's contagious. It’s good energy, bad energy, competitive fire, physicality. All of those things are contagious."

Cunningham is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, so the Fever will have to convince her to stay and continue being an enforcer for Clark.