.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
DiJonai Carrington’s ejection for a hard foul on Sophie Cunningham has revived debate surrounding another controversial play involving the Chicago Sky guard. Carrington was assessed a Flagrant 2 and ejected during Saturday’s game between the Sky and Indiana Fever after striking Cunningham in the head from behind. Cunningham was driving for a layup when Carrington attempted to prevent the basket, making contact with her head and sending her crashing to the court.
The frightening fall immediately sparked strong reactions across social media. As the play circulated online, an old video involving Carrington and Caitlin Clark also resurfaced and generated more than 1 million views.
DiJonai Carrington’s foul on Caitlin Clark resurfaces
The older clip came from the Fever’s 2024 playoff series against the Connecticut Sun, Carrington’s former team. Carrington appeared to poke Clark in the eye while attempting to defend the Indiana guard.
Dirtiest player in the game regardless of race pic.twitter.com/2grsScK9sa
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 8, 2026Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy reposted the video after Carrington’s foul on Cunningham and called her the “dirtiest player in the game.” The accusation quickly renewed debate over Carrington’s physical style of play. However, Clark rejected the idea that Carrington intentionally struck her during the 2024 incident.
“It wasn’t intentional by any means,” Clark said at the time.
Carrington also denied purposely hitting Clark, saying she was attempting to make a play on the ball. The WNBA did not upgrade the foul or discipline Carrington after reviewing the sequence.
The resurfaced video has still become part of the conversation surrounding Saturday’s incident, even though the two plays occurred nearly two years apart.
MORE: Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell join exclusive WNBA list in Fever win
Stephanie White defends Carrington’s intentions
Carrington tried to block Cunningham’s shot from behind during Saturday’s game but instead delivered a forceful blow to her head. Officials reviewed the play and upgraded it to a Flagrant 2, which carries an automatic ejection. Former WNBA player Stacey Dales and commentator Skip Bayless were among those who agreed with the officials’ decision.
Carrington described the contact as a mistake and denied trying to hurt Cunningham. Fever coach Stephanie White also stopped short of accusing her former player of intentionally targeting Cunningham. White coached Carrington during their time together with the Sun and remains familiar with the guard’s competitive approach.
“I don’t think that DiJonai intentionally came out to get her across the neck like she did,” White said after the game. “But it did happen, and I thought it was the right call.”
White added that Carrington has always been a relentless competitor who will not concede an uncontested layup. She supported Carrington’s effort to make a defensive play while acknowledging the contact crossed the line and warranted the ejection. That distinction is important. The result of the play was dangerous, regardless of Carrington’s intent. Cunningham was vulnerable in the air and had no opportunity to protect herself before landing.
The Flagrant 2 ruling addressed what happened on the court. Whether the play reflects a larger pattern has become the subject of a much broader and more divisive online discussion. With the Sky and Fever scheduled to meet again this season, Saturday’s incident is unlikely to disappear from the WNBA conversation anytime soon.
English (US)