Sophie Cunningham in a white Indiana Fever uniform reacts on the sideline as a woman in black places a hand on her arm, with a packed arena crowd behind them.
Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

Dijonai Carrington Got Ejected for a Flagrant 2 on Sophie Cunningham, Then Posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE”

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Dijonai Carrington’s forearm caught Cunningham across the face on a fast break, and the two grabbed each other before staff pulled them apart. She left with a flagrant 2 and an ejection, then went to Threads with two words aimed at the Fever.

Chicago Sky's DiJonai Carrington (#7) fouls Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham (#8) with a forearm to the face during a drive to the basket.
DiJonai Carrington’s forearm catches Sophie Cunningham across the face as Cunningham drives to the basket at United Center on August 8, 2026 — the play that drew a flagrant 2 foul and ejection. Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images.

The foul came with about two minutes left in the first quarter of Saturday’s nationally televised game, as Cunningham elevated for a layup and Carrington hit her from behind. Cunningham crashed to the floor, got up, and swiped at Carrington before Makayla Timpson and a Fever staffer restrained her.

Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham reaches for a layup while being fouled by a Chicago Sky defender near the basket.
Cunningham’s layup attempt ends in contact as Carrington contests at the rim during the first half at United Center, August 8, 2026. Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images.

Referees reviewed the contact and upgraded it to a flagrant 2, ending Carrington’s night. She’d been perfect to that point, 8 points on 3-for-3 shooting.

DiJonai Carrington reacting after being ejected during a Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever game at United Center
Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington (#7) reacts moments after being ejected during the first half against the Indiana Fever at United Center on August 8, 2026. Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images.

From the locker room she posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever” to Threads, then deleted it and posted the date of the next Sky-Fever matchup, Aug. 23.

Cunningham waved off the framing. “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,” she told ESPN.

Neither coach would engage the post. “I don’t know anything about that, but no, no response,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. Sky coach Tyler Marsh said he hadn’t heard about it yet.

Sophie Cunningham reacting to a foul by DiJonai Carrington during an Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky WNBA game
At the United Center in Chicago, a first-half foul by DiJonai Carrington (#7) draws a reaction from Sophie Cunningham (#8) during the Fever-Sky game on August 8, 2026. Photo by Melissa Tamez / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

Indiana won 90-86 behind 26 points and 11 assists from Caitlin Clark, who picked up her eighth technical of the season for contact with a referee after being forced out of bounds, and faces a one-game suspension if it isn’t rescinded. Before tip-off, XX-XY Athletics rallied outside the United Center in support of Cunningham, who has drawn weeks of attention over her comments on transgender athletes in women’s sports

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Chicago Sky's DiJonai Carrington (#7) fouls Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham (#8) with a forearm to the face during a drive to the basket.
DiJonai Carrington's forearm catches Sophie Cunningham across the face as Cunningham drives to the basket at United Center on August 8, 2026 — the play that drew a flagrant 2 foul and ejection. Photo by Michael Reaves Getty Images.
Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham reaches for a layup while being fouled by a Chicago Sky defender near the basket.
Cunningham's layup attempt ends in contact as Carrington contests at the rim during the first half at United Center, August 8, 2026. Photo by Michael Reaves Getty Images.
DiJonai Carrington reacting after being ejected during a Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever game at United Center
Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington (#7) reacts moments after being ejected during the first half against the Indiana Fever at United Center on August 8, 2026. Photo by Michael Reaves Getty Images.
Sophie Cunningham reacting to a foul by DiJonai Carrington during an Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky WNBA game
At the United Center in Chicago, a first-half foul by DiJonai Carrington (#7) draws a reaction from Sophie Cunningham (#8) during the Fever-Sky game on August 8, 2026. Photo by Melissa Tamez Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.
Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham (#8) walks along the sideline with head coach Stephanie White and teammates after a scuffle.
Michael Reaves Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Sophie Cunningham in a white Indiana Fever uniform reacts on the sideline as a woman in black places a hand on her arm, with a packed arena crowd behind them.
Michael Reaves Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Two Indiana Fever players in navy warmup gear stand on court during the national anthem before a WNBA game at United Center.
Michael Reaves Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Blonde woman in navy Indiana Fever warmup shirt holds her hand over her heart and smiles during the national anthem.
Michael Reaves Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
WNBA referees pull apart Chicago Sky's Carrington and Indiana Fever's Cunningham as the two players grab each other during a scuffle, with Chicago Sky's #22 Vandersloot nearby.
Michael Reaves Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
WNBA players Sophie Cunningham and DiJonai Carrington grabbing each other as a referee steps in to break up the altercation.
Michael Reaves Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Indiana Fever players Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham raising their hands and waving on the sideline alongside teammates.
Michael Reaves Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Sophie Cunningham wearing white feather-trimmed pants and a white t-shirt, carrying a yellow handbag, walking into Moda Center before a game.
Amanda Loman Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
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About the author

January Nelson

January Nelson

January Nelson is a writer, editor, and dreamer. She writes about astrology, games, love, relationships, and entertainment. January graduated with an English and Literature degree from Columbia University.