Chicago Sky player DiJonai Carrington sent a post on Threads that read “white privilege” and tagged the Indiana Fever after she was ejected from Saturday’s game for smacking Sophie Cunningham in the face.
Carrington has previously garnered controversy for poking Cunningham’s teammate Caitlin Clark in the eye during the 2024 playoffs, and making controversial statements in the media.
DiJonai Carrington of the Chicago Sky was ejected after a brutal foul on Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever. (Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images)
With about two minutes left in the first quarter, Cunningham had the ball and was headed in for a layup. Carrington was on her tail.
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Carrington hustled and got to Cunningham in time, but then delivered a brutal shot straight to the Fever star’s head.
The incident prompted Cunningham to get back up and scream at Carrington, as referees had to separate the two players.
Upon review, Carrington’s foul was upgraded to a flagrant 2 foul, and she was ejected from the game. Carrington then made the post on Threads shortly after her ejection, presumably from the locker room.
Carrington did not elaborate on the post, leaving unclear whether it referred to Cunningham, the officiating decision or the Fever organization. She also did not accuse Cunningham by name, and there was no immediate evidence that the foul was connected to Cunningham’s position on transgender athletes.
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The collision nevertheless unfolded as Cunningham remained at the center of a widening political debate. Supporters held a fourth rally outside the venue of a Fever road game on Saturday, while counterprotesters also gathered near the United Center.
Sophie Cunningham confronts DiJonai Carrington after the latter committed a hard foul that led to her being ejected in the first quarter of Saturday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. (Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images)
Cunningham has said she does not harbor hatred toward transgender people but believes protecting girls and women in sports is “common sense.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously defended Cunningham, saying the backlash against her was “astonishing.”
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With another Cunningham rally already scheduled ahead of the Fever’s Aug. 22 game against the New York Liberty, controversy is bound to surround Cunningham and Indiana beyond Chicago.
Meanwhile, Carrington already had a contentious history with the Fever before Saturday. During the 2024 season, she mocked Caitlin Clark for what she believed was flopping and later called Indiana supporters “the nastiest fans in the W” after receiving racist abuse from some online users.
Carrington then struck Clark in the eye while defending a pass during the 2024 playoffs, leaving the Fever star with a black eye. Both players said the contact was accidental, although Carrington later drew renewed criticism after appearing to joke about the controversy during an Instagram Live video.
Carrington has also responded to accusations that she plays dirty, insisting she simply plays aggressively and always attempts to make a play on the ball. Beyond basketball, she has drawn attention for wearing an explicit anti-President Donald Trump sweatshirt and urging WNBA players to oppose Trump administration policies affecting women and the LGBTQ community.
