In a moment that has set social media on fire and rattled the WNBA community, Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner made headlines after publicly criticizing fellow WNBA player Sophie Cunningham in a fiery post-game interview. Griner, never one to hold back, accused Cunningham of lacking “real skills” and suggested that the forward is more focused on posting provocative photos to gain male attention than she is on improving her game. The explosive remarks have sparked intense debate and drawn strong reactions from fans, players, and commentators across the sports world.
“She’s not here to play serious basketball,” Griner said bluntly when asked about Cunningham’s performance during their recent matchup. “You can’t be out there just trying to look cute for Instagram. This is professional basketball. You either have game or you don’t—and honestly, I don’t see any real skill from her.”
Griner’s comments came after a tense and physical game in which both players were involved in several heated exchanges on the court. While Cunningham managed to put up modest numbers, it was clear there was no love lost between the two. But no one expected Griner to take the beef off the court and straight into the public eye with such brutal honesty.
The fallout was immediate.
Fans flooded Twitter and Instagram, many expressing shock and outrage over Griner’s harsh words. While some supported her stance, agreeing that the league should focus more on talent and less on image, others accused her of tearing down a fellow female athlete in a sport that already faces challenges with exposure and respect.
“Brittney should be lifting other women up, not dragging them down,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Maybe Sophie posts pictures, but she shows up and plays. This felt personal, not professional.”
Meanwhile, Cunningham has yet to publicly respond to the comments. However, she did post a cryptic Instagram story shortly after the interview aired, with the caption: “Haters gonna hate. I’m still smiling.” The post featured a photo of her in a workout outfit, which only fueled the discussion around her social media presence and priorities.
Sports analysts weighed in as well. ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike said on-air, “It’s one thing to critique someone’s game. It’s another to question their character and motives. This could have been handled differently.” Others, however, noted that Griner may have been expressing frustrations shared by others behind the scenes but never voiced publicly.
The WNBA has not issued a statement regarding the incident, but league insiders suggest that tensions have been simmering for weeks between certain players over professionalism and brand image. As the league continues to grow in visibility and popularity, the pressure on players to balance performance with personal branding has never been higher.
For now, the spotlight remains on both Griner and Cunningham. Whether this feud dies down or escalates into something bigger remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Griner’s words have ignited a firestorm that won’t be fading anytime soon.
