Sophie Cunningham pushed back after DiJonai Carrington sparked a race controversy during a heated WNBA matchup. The Indiana Fever guard questioned Carrington’s social media response after the Chicago Sky star’s ejection.
The confrontation followed a hard first-quarter hit that quickly turned into an online dispute.
Sophie Cunningham suggested DiJonai Carrington wanted attention
Carrington struck Cunningham’s head while Cunningham attempted a first-quarter layup. Officials initially called a common foul before upgrading it to a Flagrant 2 after review.
Cunningham quickly got back up as teammates separated the two players. Carrington then left the game following her ejection. The situation took another turn when Carrington posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” on Threads. She also tagged the Indiana Fever account in the message.
Cunningham later addressed the post and questioned Carrington’s motives. “I don’t even know her,” she said while discussing their lack of personal history.
The Fever guard also believed the contact looked intentional. She described the foul as “absolutely” intentional despite Carrington’s later social media comments.
Cunningham rejected the idea that race played any role in the incident. She also referenced her own previous ejection while defending her position.
“This has nothing to do with race,” Cunningham said, according to The U.S. Sun. “Last year, I did the same thing and I got kicked out.”
She added, “There’s no reason even to play that card.” Cunningham also suggested Carrington had unresolved feelings toward her.
“I’ve never really spoken to her and have no beef with her,” Cunningham said. “So, get your [stuff] off. That’s fine – I can take it.”
Fever coach Stephanie White supported the officials’ decision but rejected the idea of intentional targeting. She called it a hard foul but said Carrington likely did not deliberately strike Cunningham.
“It was a hard foul,” White said, according to The U.S. Sun. “I don’t think that DiJonai intentionally came out to get her across the neck.”
Sky coach Tyler Marsh offered little insight into Carrington’s post. He said he had only just learned about the social media reaction.
The clash also revived memories of Carrington’s 2024 playoff incident involving Caitlin Clark. That play sparked days of debate and added another layer to the Fever-Sky rivalry.
Meanwhile, Cunningham had recently endured another controversial foul against Minnesota. Nia Coffey struck her face, yet officials called Cunningham for a foul afterward.
TELL US – DID DIONJAI CARRINGTON’S “WHITE PRIVILEGE” POST GO TOO FAR AFTER THE WNBA EJECTION?
