Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected during a Saturday game against the Indiana Fever after receiving a Flagrant 2 foul for hitting Sophie Cunningham in the face.
First-Quarter Collision and Carrington’s Ejection
The physical contest between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at the United Center boiled over late in the first quarter on August 8, 2026. As Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham drove toward the basket for a transition layup, Chicago wing DiJonai Carrington came from behind and struck her in the head and neck area with a hard foul that knocked her to the floor.
Referees reviewed the play on the floor and upgraded the infraction to a Flagrant 2 foul, citing the windup, impact, and follow-through involved in the collision. Carrington was immediately ejected from the game, exiting to the tunnel amid cheers from Sky supporters after scoring eight points in her first three minutes of play.
Cunningham sprang up immediately following the hit and confronted Carrington directly. Teammates and security personnel quickly stepped in to separate the two players before the confrontation escalated further.
Social Media Outcry Over the White Privilege
Post
Shortly after heading to the locker room, Carrington took to her Threads account to air her grievances. She published a post reading WHITE PRIVILEGE
in all capital letters while tagging the official Indiana Fever account , according to league reporting. The post did not explicitly name Cunningham or clarify whether the phrase targeted the officiating decision, the Fever organization, or Cunningham herself.
Cunningham addressed the post directly when speaking with reporters following Indiana’s 90-86 victory, dismissing the suggestion that race played a role in the disciplinary action and noting that she believes the league is addressing the matter.
“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.”
Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever guard, via The Guardian
Coaches Weigh In on the Play and the Aftermath
Sideline leaders offered differing perspectives on the sequence. Fever head coach Stephanie White acknowledged the severity of the contact while defending her player’s competitive nature while noting she had no response to Carrington’s deleted social media post.
“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.”
Stephanie White, Indiana Fever head coach, via Associated Press
On the Chicago side, Sky head coach Tyler Marsh admitted he had not yet reviewed a replay of the incident when speaking to the press immediately after the game. Marsh noted that he believed Carrington was making a play on the ball in real time and initially doubted whether the play met the threshold for a Flagrant 2 designation. When asked about the online post, Marsh stated that he was just learning of it and that the team would handle the situation internally.
Broader Fever Controversies and League Context
The on-court altercation arrives while Cunningham remains at the center of wider cultural and political debates surrounding women’s professional sports. Her recent public comments regarding transgender athletes participating in women’s sports have drawn both praise and protest at multiple Fever road venues across the league, including rallies held outside arenas in Seattle and Portland.
Carrington and the Fever also share a contentious history dating back to previous seasons. During the 2024 playoffs, Carrington inadvertently poked Fever star Caitlin Clark in the eye during a playoff series, and she has previously criticized the behavior of certain Indiana supporters online.
Next Meeting on the Horizon
Following her ejection and the subsequent online fallout, Carrington published a follow-up post on social media featuring the date 8/23
alongside a smiley emoji. That date marks the next scheduled matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky.
