Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected from Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for hitting Sophie Cunningham in the head and neck Theguardian. The incident occurred during the first quarter as Cunningham, who is white, was shooting a fast-break layup, while Carrington, who is Black, came from behind and knocked her to the court Theguardian. Minutes after her ejection, Carrington published a post on Threads containing the words WHITE PRIVILEGE
and tagged the Indiana Fever Fox News.
Ejection and Social Media Post Following First-Quarter Foul
The play immediately drew a physical reaction from Cunningham, who got up, charged toward Carrington, and pushed her before being held back by a teammate Theguardian. Referees reviewed the sequence and upgraded the penalty to a Flagrant 2 foul, citing windup, impact, and follow-through Theguardian. The Indiana Fever ultimately won the game with a score of 90-86 Theguardian.
Reactions From Players and Coaches
Following the 90-86 Indiana victory, players and coaches offered contrasting views of the physical play Theguardian. Cunningham stated that she believed the foul was absolutely
intentional and unnecessary,
adding that she had no prior beef with Carrington Theguardian. Regarding Carrington’s subsequent social media post, Cunningham remarked that it had nothing to do with race, noting that she had previously been ejected for a similar play last year Theguardian.
Fever coach Stephanie White viewed the play as a hard foul, stating she did not believe Carrington intentionally struck Cunningham across the neck, but agreed that the ejection was the correct call Theguardian. Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh indicated that he thought Carrington was making a play on the ball when watching live and did not initially believe the play warranted a Flagrant 2 foul, while noting he had not yet reviewed a replay or the social media post Theguardian.
Caitlin Clark Receives Technical Foul
During the third quarter of the contest, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was assessed her eighth technical foul of the season after making contact with a referee when she was forced out of bounds Theguardian. The technical foul triggers a one-game suspension for Indiana’s next game unless it is rescinded by the league Theguardian.
Clark stated after the game that the contact was inadvertent and that no words were exchanged with the official Theguardian. She said I ran into her,
Clark said of the referee Theguardian. I have already watched it on the tape. So, we’ll let the league decide. But, it wasn’t anything intentional or anything. So, I hope it gets rescinded.
Coach Stephanie White characterized the whistle as a bad call
Theguardian.
Broader Context and Prior Controversies
The on-court altercation unfolded against a backdrop of wider off-court discourse surrounding the Indiana Fever organization Fox News. Sophie Cunningham has recently drawn public attention and sparked protests and rallies outside games in cities like Seattle and Portland following comments supporting the exclusion of transgender girls and women from female sports categories Theguardian. Protesters and counterprotesters gathered outside the United Center during Saturday’s matchup Fox News.
Carrington and the Fever also share a contentious history Fox News. During the 2024 WNBA playoffs, Carrington struck Clark in the eye while defending a pass, resulting in a black eye, though both players maintained the contact was accidental Fox News. Carrington has previously criticized Indiana supporters online and defended her style of play as aggressive rather than dirty Fox News.
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