Indiana Fever coach backs Chicago Sky guard after flagrant foul on Sophie Cunningham
During a game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, DiJonia Carrington was ejected after a flagrant foul on Sophie Cunningham; Fever coach Stephanie White defended the play as a hard but unintentional foul.
DiJonia Carrington of the Chicago Sky was ejected in the first quarter of the Fever's 90-86 victory after a review upgraded her hard foul on Sophie Cunningham to a Flagrant 2. The contact, which left Cunningham with a bleeding mouth, occurred during a transition layup attempt.
Fever head coach Stephanie White said the foul was hard but not intentional, adding that Carrington "plays her butt off" and that she did not think the defender aimed for Cunningham's neck. White also affirmed that she believed the officials made the correct call.
Former Fever teammate Sydney Colson posted a comment on social media that referenced the foul, noting the play happened on a transition. The remark was a wordplay on the term "transition" and the ongoing debate about transgender athletes in women's sports, a topic Cunningham has publicly discussed.
Cunningham previously told ESPN that she does not support biological men competing in women's sports, emphasizing her desire to protect young female athletes. A March 2025 poll cited by a major newspaper showed a majority of Americans share the view that men should be barred from women's competitions.