Sophie Cunningham and DiJonai Carrington found themselves at the center of another heated moment between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky on Saturday.
The incident came during the first quarter when Cunningham attacked the basket on a fast break. Carrington came from behind and struck Cunningham in the head and neck, sending her to the floor as the shot went in.
Officials reviewed the play and upgraded Carrington’s foul to a Flagrant 2, ending her afternoon with an ejection. Cunningham immediately got up and confronted Carrington before teammates separated the two players.
Sophie Cunningham Responds to DiJonai Carrington After Ejection
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Cunningham made it clear after the game that she believed Carrington’s contact was intentional.
“I think it was unnecessary. I’ve never spoken to her… but I guess she has some pent up stuff, so get your [expletive] off. That’s fine. I can take it” (h/t Tony East of Forbes Sports).
The situation did not end with the ejection. Carrington later took to Threads and posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” while tagging the Fever.
Cunningham responded when asked about Carrington’s post, rejecting the suggestion that race played a role in the league’s decision.
“I think the league is taking care of that. 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” (via ESPN’s Kareem Copeland).
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The incident came on a day when the Fever already had plenty happening. Caitlin Clark received her eighth technical foul of the season later in the game after making contact with an official, triggering an automatic one-game suspension if the ruling stands.
Indiana ultimately held off Chicago 90-86 to improve to 20-12. Cunningham’s confrontation with Carrington, however, became one of the biggest talking points from another eventful meeting between the two teams.
