WNBA Fans React as DiJonai Carrington Finally Addresses Intent Behind Sophie Cunningham Incident

August 11, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury - 2026 WNBA regular season © Imagn Images

During a media session on Monday, DiJonai Carrington addressed the controversial foul that she committed against the Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham two days prior. According to Carrington, securing a defensive stop was her objective in that highly physical sequence, which saw her arm make contact with Cunningham and knock the Fever guard to the ground.

“I’m never gonna let a open layup just be had. You can pull clips from however many seasons of me making that same exact play. It was unfortunate that I made contact with her in the way that I did, but it was never intentional.”
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This explanation led to a variety of responses from fans online. Some remained unhappy with her actions on the court, as well as her decision to post “White privilege” on Threads after getting ejected from the game.

“Never intentional but you tweeted white priviledge..You can deny all u want but your a dirty player and W must suspend you,” one fan tweeted.

Meanwhile, other fans came to Carrington’s defense.

Amid the heated reactions to Carrington’s hard foul, the WNBA has not announced any suspension for the Sky guard. From the looks of it, Carrington will be suiting up when her team takes on the Golden State Valkyries this Wednesday.

“That’s How She Plays”: Sky Coach Defends DiJonai Carrington After Altercation With Sophie Cunningham

As for Sky coach Tyler Marsh, DiJonai Carrington was making a basketball play in that infamous sequence with Sophie Cunningham.

On Monday, Marsh told reporters that Carrington had no ill intentions when she knocked Cunningham to the ground.

“I think the intent was to make an attempt at the ball, and that’s how she plays. That’s who she is. She’s passionate, hard-nosed, and it’s unfortunate that’s what happened. I don’t think that’s what her intent was.”