Chicago Sky player DiJonai Carrington was ejected Saturday after officials upgraded her foul on Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham to a Flagrant 2 [1].
The incident highlights the league's strict enforcement of player safety and the immediate consequences of high-impact physical play during competitive matchups.
The event occurred at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois [4]. During the game, Carrington made contact with Cunningham that officials later determined was severe enough to warrant the highest level of foul classification [1]. Under league rules, a Flagrant 2 foul triggers an automatic ejection from the game [1].
Reports indicate that Carrington struck Cunningham in the face during the play [2]. Despite the impact, Cunningham continued to play in the game following the hit [3].
Carrington, who was named to the All-WNBA Defensive Team in 2024 [5], was sent to the locker room immediately following the ruling. The decision to upgrade the foul suggests that officials viewed the contact as unnecessary and excessive, moving beyond a standard basketball play.
Following her ejection, Carrington posted comments on social media regarding white privilege from the locker room [1]. The interaction between the two players has drawn significant attention to the physical nature of the rivalry between the Sky and the Fever.
“Carrington was ejected after her foul on Cunningham was upgraded to a Flagrant 2.”
The upgrade to a Flagrant 2 reflects the WNBA's effort to curb dangerous play and protect athletes from head injuries. By automatically ejecting players for such contact, the league signals that physical intensity must not cross into reckless behavior, regardless of a player's defensive reputation.
