Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington’s flagrant foul on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham last week prompted Florida General Counsel James Uthmeier to warn that a similar incident in his jurisdiction would result in serious consequences.
Carrington briefly moved past the drama on Monday night, putting up 26 points, six rebounds and five steals in Chicago’s 97-88 loss to the Seattle Storm. However, in the Sky’s next game against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, Carrington was involved in an incident with forward Cecilia Zandalasini. Carrington appeared to poke Zandalasini in the eye while guarding her.
Fans were quick to weigh in on the incident.
“DiJonai with another signature move yet again vs the Valks tonight,” a fan commented.
“DiJonai with the signature eye poke/eye rake….” another user wrote.
More reactions followed.
Carrington struggled offensively against the Valkyries, finishing with just three points, three rebounds, and one assist.
Angel McCoughtry weighs in on DiJonai Carrington-Sophie Cunningham incident
Five-time WNBA All-Star Angel McCoughtry spoke about the DiJonai Carrington drama on Wednesday’s episode of the “Just Women’s Sports” podcast. She did not buy Carrington’s explanation that the foul on Sophie Cunningham was a basketball play.
“Your hand goes up to block, not around the neck. So to me, whenever an arm is grabbed around like that, it looks more personal. It look personal because if you look at the picture, the arm is like this around the neck. And I’m not saying you gotta like Sophie Cunningham, but that’s a personal vendetta type thing.”
With Carrington’s foul on Zandalasini now drawing scrutiny, the debate over whether these plays are standard physical basketball or something more deliberate is unlikely to end anytime soon.
Edited by Arhaan Raje
