DiJonai Carrington Under Fire Again After Eye Gouge and Face Slap in Sky Loss

Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington is facing renewed backlash after another violent on-court incident, this time during Wednesday night’s 91-71 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Video appears to show Carrington gouging Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini in the eye, followed moments later by a slap to the face of Golden State’s Tiffany Hayes during a drive to the basket, according to the Daily Mail.

The incidents come just days after Carrington was widely criticized for clotheslining Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham, sending her crashing to the floor. That play drew a flagrant foul and sparked a social media firestorm when Carrington, who is Black, posted “White Privilege” on her accounts shortly after the game, in reference to the backlash over her foul on Cunningham, who is white.

A Pattern of Aggressive Play

Wednesday’s game marked the second time in less than a week that Carrington has been accused of striking an opponent in the face. Fans have begun to voice frustration over what they describe as a recurring pattern of dirty play. Social media reaction has been swift, with many calling for the league to take disciplinary action beyond a standard flagrant foul.

The eye-gouging incident involving Zandalasini occurred during a scramble for position under the basket, though officials did not appear to call a foul on the play. The later slap on Hayes came as Hayes drove past Carrington, with Carrington’s arm making clear contact with Hayes’s face. Neither play was reviewed for a potential flagrant or technical foul, according to the game’s official stats.

Background of Controversy

Carrington’s recent history has drawn attention not only for the on-court incidents but also for her social media response. After Saturday’s clothesline on Cunningham, she posted “White Privilege,” a comment that many interpreted as a deflection of criticism onto race. But reports have since highlighted a contrast in the players’ backgrounds: Carrington attended expensive private schools as a teenager and spent more on one year at Stanford than Cunningham did for her entire four-year education at the University of Missouri.

That context has fueled further criticism, with fans and commentators pointing out that Carrington’s claim of privilege seemed ironic given her own comparatively affluent upbringing. The Daily Mail noted that Carrington’s Stanford tuition for a single year exceeded what Cunningham paid for her full college career, underscoring the disparity.

Fan Reaction and Calls for Action

Fan outrage has grown louder with each incident. On social media platforms, users have expressed fatigue with Carrington’s “vicious style,” with some demanding that the WNBA suspend her for multiple games. Others have called for the league to review both Wednesday’s incidents and retroactively penalize Carrington if warranted.

“This is getting ridiculous,” one fan wrote. “She needs to be held accountable.” Another commented, “Two face incidents in one week is not a coincidence.”

The Sky have not yet issued a public statement regarding the latest incidents, and the WNBA league office has not announced any disciplinary review as of Thursday morning. However, given the precedent of past suspensions for flagrant and dangerous play, many expect the league to take a closer look.

What’s Next

Carrington, who has been a key rotation player for the Sky this season, may now face scrutiny not only from fans but from league officials. The WNBA has shown increasing willingness to penalize dangerous play, particularly after high-profile incidents in recent years. Whether the eye-gouging and slap will result in a fine or suspension remains to be seen, but the public pressure is mounting.

For now, the Sky are left to deal with the fallout of another controversy revolving around one of their players. With the playoffs approaching, the team can ill afford distractions, but Carrington’s actions have put her squarely in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2026/08/13/video-fans-outraged-after-dijonai-carrington-again-strikes-rivals-face-eyes-mere-days-after-flagrant-foul-sophie-cunningham/