RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 5 sourcesDiJonai Carrington was ejected for a foul, deemed "Flagrant" by officials, on Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham where she hit her head and neck, knocking her to the ground.
Carrington posted "white privilege" on social media minutes after being booted from the game, tagging the Fever.
Carrington's coach said the club would "handle" her post, while Cunningham said "there's no reason even to play that card".
DiJonai Carrington of the Chicago Sky has been ejected after being called for a Flagrant 2 foul on Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever.
Minutes after the eviction on Saturday (local time), Carrington posted on social media the words "WHITE PRIVILEGE" and tagged the Fever.
Cunningham, who is white, was shooting a fast-break lay-up in the first quarter when Carrington, who is black, came from behind and hit her in the head and neck, knocking her to the court as the shot went in.
Cunningham said she thought the foul in the 90–86 Indiana win was "absolutely" intentional.
"Clearly I think it was unnecessary," Cunningham said.
"I've never really spoken to her and I have no beef with her, but I guess she has some pent-up stuff."
Fever coach Stephanie White had a different view of the play.
"I don't think that DiJonai intentionally came out to get her across the neck like she did, but it did happen, and I thought it was the right call."
Cunningham got up immediately, charged toward Carrington and pushed her as she was held back by a teammate.
"I'm not going to let anyone just do that to me. I think everyone knows that. I think that's why she did it, because she wants attention."
The play was reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 2 after the referee said there was wind-up, impact and follow-through on the foul.
Sky coach Tyler Marsh said he had not seen a replay of the play, but that seeing it live, he thought Carrington was making a play on the ball and that he did not believe it warranted a Flagrant 2 foul.
"I haven't looked at that play since, so I really don't know if it was justified or not," he said.
"But, that's what I thought in the moment."
Marsh was then asked about Carrington's social media post.
"I have to get back to you on that because I'm just now hearing about that," he said.
But Cunningham had plenty to say about the post.
"I think the league is taking care of that," she 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. There's no reason even to play that card."
In the third quarter, Fever star Caitlin Clark was assessed a technical foul after she made contact with a referee when she was forced out of bounds.
The technical was Clark's eighth of the season, triggering a one-game suspension for Indiana's next game if not rescinded by the league.
"She said I ran into her," Clark said in a post-game television interview.
"I've already watched it on the tape, so we'll let the league decide. But it wasn't intentional or anything, so I'm hoping it's getting rescinded,"
A few hours after the game, Clark got her way. The WNBA rescinded the technical foul.
Cunningham has frequently come to Clark's defence after physical play by opponents and has become one of the higher-profile players in the league this season.
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