Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected from Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever after delivering a flagrant foul to Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Minutes later, Carrington posted on Threads, writing 'WHITE PRIVILEGE' and tagging the Indiana Fever.
The Indiana Fever defeated the Sky 90-86 in a closely contested matchup at Chicago’s United Center. The ejection occurred late in the first quarter when Carrington struck Cunningham across the face during a layup attempt. Officials reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, triggering an automatic ejection. Cunningham immediately confronted Carrington, and both players had to be separated by referees.
Carrington, who had scored eight points in four minutes off the bench, left the game without further incident. She did not elaborate on her Threads post, which did not specify whether the accusation referred to Cunningham, the officiating, or the Fever organization.
Reactions and Statements
Cunningham, who required medical attention after the foul, later addressed the incident in remarks reported by ESPN. She stated she did not know Carrington personally and had "no beef" with her, calling the foul "unnecessary" and intentional. Cunningham also dismissed the idea that race played a role in the ejection, noting she had previously been ejected for similar plays without controversy.
"I think the league is taking care of that. This has nothing to do with race," Cunningham said, per ESPN’s Kareem Copeland. "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."
Cunningham added that she believed Carrington’s actions were motivated by a desire for attention, saying, "I mean, s---, like, people have started craving attention. Like, go get it somewhere else."
Game Context and Aftermath
The foul occurred during a tightly contested first quarter as both teams traded baskets. Cunningham’s layup attempt was met with Carrington’s aggressive defensive play, resulting in contact to the head. Video footage showed Cunningham immediately rising and confronting Carrington, prompting officials to intervene. The ejection was confirmed after review, and Cunningham received medical attention for a visible injury.
Carrington’s post on Threads followed shortly after her ejection, though the platform’s timing and location of the post were not independently verified. The post did not include further context or direct accusations against specific individuals or the league.
League Response and Broader Implications
The incident has raised questions about how the WNBA will respond to Carrington’s public statement, particularly given the league’s recent emphasis on consistent disciplinary standards. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has previously testified to Congress that the league applies its rules uniformly across all players and situations.
The WNBA has not publicly addressed Carrington’s post as of publication. The league’s handling of the matter may hinge on whether it interprets the post as a violation of conduct policies, which prohibit public statements that could incite controversy or undermine the integrity of the game.
Background and Related Context
Carrington, in her sixth WNBA season and first with the Sky, has been involved in prior controversies. During the 2024 playoffs, she was criticized for an incident involving Indiana’s Caitlin Clark, in which Clark suffered an eye injury. Carrington has also made controversial remarks in media appearances, though specifics were not detailed in the cited sources.
Cunningham, meanwhile, has become a polarizing figure amid broader debates about gender and inclusion in sports. She has publicly opposed allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports, a stance that has drawn both support and criticism. The White House press secretary has previously defended Cunningham’s position.
The game itself was part of a charged atmosphere, with supporters and counterprotesters gathering outside the venue for a rally related to Cunningham’s public stance. The Fever’s victory extended their winning streak, while the Sky fell further behind in the standings.