DiJonai Carrington Ejected for Hard Foul on Sophie Cunningham on Video as Confrontation Ensues

Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected after receiving a Flagrant 2 following a hard foul on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham in the first quarter of Saturday's game.

With the Sky up 18-17 late in the first quarter, Cunningham found herself on the break with a clear path to the rim. She made the layup, but Carrington hit Cunningham in the side of the head with her left arm on her way up.

Cunningham fell to the court but got up quickly and had words with Carrington after the play.

Carrington had been on fire after entering the game off the bench, scoring eight points (3-of-3 shooting, 1-of-1 from the free throw line) in four minutes. Chicago also outscored Indiana by six with her on the floor.

After the play, Jacy Sheldon entered the game for Carrington, and Cunningham made her free throw to finish the three-point play. Indiana could not take advantage of its free possession after the Flagrant 2, missing a pair of shots.

Chicago entered the first quarter up 23-22, but Indiana caught fire in the second quarter, outscoring the Sky 31-19. Fever guard Caitlin Clark led all scorers with 15 points, while teammates Kelsey Mitchell (12 points) and Aliyah Boston (11 points) also fared well.

Carrington is in her sixth WNBA season and first with the Sky. She starred for the Connecticut Sun when the team experienced great success from 2021-2024 (106 wins, 44 losses, one WNBA Finals appearance). Carrington earned WNBA All-Defensive First Team and WNBA Most Improved Player honors in 2024.

Cunningham is entering her eighth WNBA season. She spent her first six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury before heading to Indiana. Cunningham, who largely plays off the bench in Indiana, entered the day averaging 9.1 points (44.8 percent from three, third in the WNBA) in 23.2 minutes.