The Indiana Fever will meet the Chicago Sky for the third and final time this season Sunday, with Indiana looking to end a two-game skid and close its five-game road trip with a win. The Fever are playing the second night of a back-to-back after Saturday’s loss to the New York Liberty, while Chicago enters on a three-game winning streak.
Sunday’s matchup has gained heightened buzz because of what happened when the teams met on Aug. 8. DiJonai Carrington was ejected in the first quarter after her hard foul on Sophie Cunningham during a fast-break layup was upgraded to a Flagrant 2. Both Cunningham and Carrington had to be separated after the play, and the Fever went on to win 90-86.
Carrington’s availability was uncertain after she missed Chicago’s 73-70 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Friday with left foot soreness. She was upgraded to questionable Saturday before the Sky made their final decision ahead of Sunday’s rematch.
DiJonai Carrington and Sophie Cunningham Will Play in Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever Rematch
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Sky announced Sunday that Carrington has been cleared to play against the Fever, giving her an opportunity to face Cunningham and the Fever for the second time this season.
Sky coach Tyler Marsh confirmed ahead of the game that Carrington will be on a minutes restriction.
Indiana and Chicago’s previous meeting remains one of the most talked about games of the season. The drama between Carrington and Cunningham continued off the court after the Sky guard posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” and tagged the Fever on social media following her ejection.
Carrington also appeared to circle the rematch by posting “8/23” on her official X handle. She later clarified that she was not claiming the Flagrant 2 ruling itself was the result of white privilege and said the foul was never intentional.
After the game, Cunningham said she believed the foul was intentional, while Fever coach Stephanie White told reporters she did not think Carrington intentionally targeted Cunningham’s neck but agreed with the Flagrant 2 ruling.
White’s comments led to backlash from Fever supporters, including calls for the franchise to fire her. She was also booed during a home game, with Cunningham and Caitlin Clark later defending the veteran head coach.
Cunningham is averaging 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while playing primarily off the bench this season, while Carrington has averaged 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists in nine games. She missed the first 27 games of the season while recovering from her foot injury and two surgeries before returning July 30 against the Connecticut Sun.
Carrington made an immediate impact in the Aug. 8 meeting, opening 3-for-3 with eight points, including an and-one and a 3-pointer, before her ejection ended her night.
How to Watch Fever vs. Sky
- Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock
Sunday’s game will be played at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
