Sky's DiJonai Carrington appears to call ejection for hard foul on Fever's Sophie Cunningham 'white privilege'

Sophie Cunningham has been the subject of controversy for much of the past few weeks. She returned to the spotlight on Saturday, this time for something that happened on the floor.

The Fever forward was left wincing after taking a shot to the face from DiJonai Carrington in Indiana's tilt with the Sky. The incident, which saw Carrington catch Cunningham's face with arm while attempting to stop a wide-open layup, resulted in Carrington's immediate ejection.

Carrington wasn't pleased with the referees' decision to send her to the locker room. She responded to the call on Instagram Threads, labeling the Flagrant 2 a reflection of "white privelege."

With that, here's what you need to know about Carrington's foul, as well as info on any additional punishment the WNBA could levee her way.

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DiJonai Carrington foul on Sophie Cunningham

Carrington caught Cunningham with a flailing arm while attempting to swat away the Fever forward's layup on the fast break in the first quarter. Cunningham sank the effort before confronting Carrington. Bodies spilled between them in the fracas, with Indiana forward Makayla Timpson pulling Cunningham away to prevent the situation from escalating.

DiJonai Carrington was assessed a Flagrant 2 and was ejected from the game after this play. pic.twitter.com/WRapu4lqHX

— ESPN (@espn) August 8, 2026

Replay review showed that Carrington struck Cunningham across the face with her forearm. The Sky guard failed to make a play on the ball.

The referees quickly deliberated before announcing their official ruling the play. Carrington was given a Flagrant 2, resulting in her immediate ejection.

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DiJonai Carrington reacts to ejection

Carrington wasted little time offering her thoughts on her ejection. She took to Instagram Threads to explain the simple reason why she felt that she was handed her walking papers on Saturday afternoon.

DiJonai Carrington on Threads after being ejected. pic.twitter.com/fCamMSMLo8

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 8, 2026

Carrington did clarify her opinion on social media in response, specifically, to Emmanuel Acho.

"I've never once claimed that the assessment of the foul was white privilege," she said, "I'm the LAST thing from ignorant or asinine when it comes to speaking on 'white privilege,' do ya research on that one. I actually went to school, one of the top universities might I add, to educate myself on this exact subject."

I’ve never once claimed that the assessment of the foul was white privilege (that was your assumption). Try exercising your critical thinking skills, I know you studied psych. Furthermore, I’m the LAST thing from ignorant or asinine when it comes to speaking on “white privilege”,… https://t.co/mykXGTtiXJ

— dιjonaι carrιngтon♛ (@DijonaiVictoria) August 10, 2026

Will DiJonai Carrington be suspended?

While Carrington's intervention proved eye-catching, it seems unlikely to result in a suspension barring something unforeseen. Flagrant fouls are graded on a points system where a Flagrant 1 counts for 1 point and a Flagrant 2 counts for 2 points. Players automatically receive a one-game ban when they hit the four-point mark.

Per Across the Timeline, Saturday's call represented Carrington's first flagrant foul of the season. She should return to action when Chicago battles the Storm on Monday night.

Carrington will be fined $1,000, however.

Sophie Cunningham reaction to DiJonai Carrington's flagrant foul

Cunningham had her say about Carrington's foul postgame, claiming that the Sky guard "intentionally" struck her. She said she has had no prior issues with Carrington, but asserted that the Sky standout might have "some pent up stuff" with her.

"I don't even know her," Cunningham said. "She wasn't even on the team last year when all that was going on. But I do think when people play the Fever, we're nationally televised, there's a lot of eyes on us and people just want attention. And that's her just trying to get attention."

Cunningham also asserted that Carrington's ejection had nothing to do with white privilege as she claimed, telling reporters Carrington has "no reason even to play that card."

"I think the league is taking care of that," Cunningham said. "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."