Fever do not answer questions about pro-Cunningham rally ahead of 105-95 win against Storm

SEATTLE (AP) — Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark were not made available to answer postgame questions about a rally before the Indiana Fever's 105-95 win over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night in support of Cunningham's recent comments about transgender athletes.

A crowd of a few dozen gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena to both support Cunningham and promote statewide initiatives IL26-638, which would bar transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics at Washington schools, and IL26-001, which would expand the state's “Parents’ Bill of Rights.”

Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports in an ESPN article published last week. Cunningham was booed by Storm fans when she checked into Tuesday’s game, as well as when attempting her first free throws of the night.

Media members asked to speak to Cunningham and Clark postgame, but neither player was made available. Kelsey Mitchell and Monique Billings addressed the media instead, alongside head coach Stephanie White.

When White was asked about the rally and Cunningham’s recent comments, a Fever public relations representative intervened with the following statement:

“Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers,” the statement said. “Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission.”

Storm head coach Sonia Raman answered a question about the pregame protest following her team’s seventh consecutive loss.

“Seattle and this organization and Climate Pledge, we always want to be an area where people feel welcome coming into this building,” Raman said. “I think we’ve always done a really good job with that. So, I know our organization was working closely with Climate Pledge and the security just to make sure that everybody feels safe and included and welcome when they walk in this door.

“From what I understand, that was successful.”

Heather Weiner, a spokesperson for No Hate in Washington State, a coalition of doctors, nurses, anti-domestic violence groups and other community organizations opposing statewide Initiatives 638 and 001, found it to be a positive experience on the whole outside Climate Pledge Arena.

“Washington State is a very caring, inclusive place,” Weiner said. “We don’t always agree, but we do agree against hate, and we will come together about that.”

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

People rally to support Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham after her comments on transgender athletes in women's sports before a WNBA basketball game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, left, greets guard Sophie Cunningham (8) after Cunningham made a basket against the Seattle Storm during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A fan holds a sign for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham in reference to her comments on transgender athletes as a fan wearing Seattle Storm gear holds a competing sign during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

People gather in support of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham following her comments on transgender athletes before a WNBA basketball game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham looks on during the national anthem before facing the Seattle Storm a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday before Ryan Jeffers broke it up with a leadoff single.

Cameron threw only 72 pitches through six innings with two walks and five strikeouts, with little solid contact by the Twins. Catcher Salvador Perez sprang forward to pick up Ryan Kreidler’s dribbler in front of the plate and make an on-target underhand toss to first base for the second out of the sixth as the 36-year-old tumbled to the grass to keep the feat alive.

But Jeffers delivered a clean single to right-center field on an 0-2 changeup from Cameron.

Cameron still stretched his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 16 by getting the next six outs for his career-long outing with a one-hitter in eight shutout innings. He threw seven shutout frames in relief last Friday after the Royals used an opener in a 2-1 loss at Detroit. This one ended even worse, when Kody Clemens hit a walk-off grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning to give Minnesota a 4-3 victory.

Former Twins right-hander Randy Dobnak pitched seven scoreless innings for the Royals on Wednesday night in a 4-0 victory.

Cameron went 9-7 with a 2.99 ERA in 24 starts last season and finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year award voting. The 27-year-old threw 6 1/3 no-hit innings in his major league debut on April 30, 2025, for a 3-0 win at Tampa Bay.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron (65) delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron (65) delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)