Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected from Saturday's game against the Indiana Fever after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for a hard hit on Sophie Cunningham. Minutes after the incident, Carrington posted the words "WHITE PRIVILEGE" on social media, tagging the Fever, according to multiple reports.
Flagrant 2 Foul Upgraded After Review
The incident occurred in the first quarter when Cunningham, who is white, was driving for a fast-break layup. Carrington, who is Black, came from behind and struck Cunningham in the head and neck area, knocking her to the court as the shot went in. The referees initially called a common foul but upgraded it to a Flagrant 2 after reviewing the play, citing windup, impact, and follow-through.
Cunningham, who finished the game with 14 points in Indiana's 90-86 victory, said she believed the foul was intentional. "Clearly I think it was unnecessary," Cunningham said. "I've never really spoken to her and I have no beef with her, but I guess she has some pent up stuff."
Mixed Reactions from Coaches and Players
Fever coach Stephanie White offered a different perspective, saying, "It was a hard foul. I don't think that Dijonai intentionally came out to get her across the neck like she did, but it did happen, and I thought it was the right call." Sky coach Tyler Marsh, who had not seen a replay, said he thought Carrington was making a play on the ball and didn't believe it warranted a Flagrant 2. He declined to comment on Carrington's social media post, saying he had just learned of it.
Cunningham reacted to the post by saying, "I think the league is taking care of that. This has nothing to do with race. Last year, I did the same thing and I got kicked out. And I deserved to be kicked out. There's no reason even to play that card."
Caitlin Clark's Technical Foul Leads to Suspension
In the third quarter, Fever star Caitlin Clark received a technical foul after making contact with a referee when she was forced out of bounds. It was her eighth technical of the season, triggering an automatic one-game suspension. Clark said the contact was inadvertent and hoped the league would rescind the foul. "She said I ran into her," Clark said. "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 So, I hope it gets rescinded. And, nothing was said." White called it "a bad call."
Background and Context
Cunningham has become a prominent figure this season, often defending Clark against physical play. In an ESPN article last month, she expressed support for barring transgender girls and women from girls' and women's sports, which sparked protests outside Fever games in Seattle and Portland. On Friday, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to teams indicating the league would hold ongoing discussions about transgender participation in women's basketball.
