Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected from Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever after a flagrant foul to Sophie Cunningham’s head, then posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” and tagged the Fever on social media from the locker room.
With about two minutes left in the first quarter and the Sky leading 18-17, Cunningham broke free on a fast break with a clear path to the rim. Carrington caught up to her and struck her in the side of the head with her left arm as she went up for the layup. The bucket counted, and Cunningham hit the ensuing free throw after officials upgraded the foul to a flagrant 2 upon review.
Cunningham got back to her feet quickly and got in Carrington’s face, prompting a brief shoving match before officials separated the two players. Fever forward Makayla Timpson and team staffers held Cunningham back, and head coach Stephanie White came onto the court as tempers flared.
Minutes after her ejection, Carrington posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” in all capital letters on Threads and tagged the Fever.
Carrington had been red-hot up to that point, scoring eight points on 3-of-3 shooting in four minutes off the bench, with the Sky outscoring Indiana by six points while she was on the floor. Jacy Sheldon replaced her, and the Fever couldn’t cash in on the extra possession, missing both looks after the flagrant call. Indiana rallied in the second quarter regardless, outscoring Chicago 31-19 behind 15 points from Caitlin Clark.
Saturday’s incident isn’t the first heated moment between the two rosters. Carrington, then with the Connecticut Sun, was accused by some fans of intentionally poking Clark in the eye during Game 1 of their 2024 first-round playoff series, leaving Clark with a black eye that both players later called unintentional.
Cunningham, who joined the Fever this season after six years with the Phoenix Mercury, has become one of the more outspoken voices in the WNBA’s ongoing debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports.
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