WNBA star who hit Sophie Cunningham at center of controversy days later
WNBA star who hit Sophie Cunningham at center of controversy days later
Sian JonesThu, August 13, 2026 at 8:06 AM UTC
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DiJonai Carrington found herself at the center of another firestorm against the Valkyries -Credit:Getty Images
DiJonai Carrington is once again at the center of a WNBA firestorm just days after her flagrant foul on Sophie Cunningham.
The Chicago Sky suffered its 12th loss in 13 games after falling 91-71 to the Golden State Valkyries. Kamilla Cardoso led Chicago with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, but the Sky slipped to its fourth loss in five games.
Courtney Vandersloot opened strongly, making her first three shots as Chicago raced into an early lead, but she failed to score again after halftime and finished with six points. Rachel Banham added 11 points and four rebounds off the bench.
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Carrington appeared to try to have a Valkyries fan ejected during the game after becoming frustrated by a no-call. The incident came after Carrington was assessed a technical foul for her reaction to the officiating. The WNBA star was visibly unhappy with the decision and appeared to direct attention toward a fan in the stands.
Carrington has also faced criticism over another incident in which she appeared to strike an opposing player in the face, sending the player to the floor. The sequence has sparked questions among fans over whether further disciplinary action should be taken against Carrington, with some calling for a suspension.
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The 28-year-old struggled from beyond the arc, going 1-for-9 for three points in her second road game since being ejected for a Flagrant 2 after a hard foul on Cunningham during Saturday’s 90-86 home loss to Indiana.
Carrington and Cunnigham squared up following the clash after the Fever guard went for a routine lay-up towards the end of the opening quarter, where she found herself being struck by Carrington's left arm. Tensions spilled over after the incident with Cunningham left outraged by what she perceived to be a cheap shot.
Cunningham was on the receiving end of a brutal foul by DiJonai Carrington during Saturday's game between Indiana and the Chicago Sky. -Credit:Getty Images
After the game, she posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” on social media and tagged the Fever. While many believed Carrington was referring to her ejection in the social media post — which was warranted given the nature of the foul — she appeared to hit back at former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho after he suggested that was the case.
"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," Carrington wrote in response to Acho.
"I actually went to school, one of the top universities might I add, to educate myself on this exact subject. I would never use that term as a rhetorical weapon knowing the historical and social weight it holds without having the proper evidence to substantiate it."
She also said the incident involving Cunningham “might happen again,” explaining that she was not willing to let an opponent score an easy basket. Carrington said she tracked down Cunningham in an attempt to prevent the basket, despite making contact with her face in the process.
"It was unfortunate that I made contact with her in the way that I did, but it was never intentional," said Carrington of the incident, speaking to reporters. "And, look, it might happen again. That’s just how I play. I’m gonna always go all out. I’m not gonna just let an open layup happen.
"But like I said, I’m never intending to hurt anybody, regardless of the outside noise or whatever the situation may be."
Source: “AOL Sports”
