There was no shortage of controversy in the game as the Indiana Fever took on the Chicago Sky at the United Center in Chicago. The game started on a controversial note with Chicago’s DiJonai Carrington getting ejected for a flagrant foul 2 against Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham in the very first quarter. While Indiana coach Stephanie White did agree with the on-field call, her view of the incident was a little different from the game’s commentators.
“Yeah, I mean, look, it was a hard foul. I don’t think that DiJonai intentionally came out to, to get her across the neck like she did, but it did happen, and I thought it was the right call,” White said in the post-game press conference. “But you know, one of the things about Nae is that she’s going to play her butt off, man. She’s going to compete.
Advertisement
“Nobody’s going to go walking in for a layup. And so, I’m not, I don’t oppose the hard foul. But I also don’t think that she intentionally went for the neck.”
With 1:59 left in the first quarter, Sophie Cunningham was driving for a fast break layup. However, Carrington approached her from behind and hit her on the head and neck with her left hand, which resulted in Cunningham falling and hitting the hardcourt. While Cunningham did get up soon afterwards, the players had to be separated as she charged towards Carrington, for what was a completely uncalled act in her opinion.
“Clearly I think it was unnecessary,” Cunningham said. “I’ve never really spoken to her, and I have no beef with her, but I guess she has some pent-up stuff. I popped up. I’m not going to let anyone just do that to me. I think everyone knows that. I think that’s why she did it, because she wants attention.”
Advertisement
Meanwhile, the commentators on ABC and even ESPN knew right away that the foul looked very much intentional. Carrington tried to sweep the ball out with her right hand and could’ve kept her left hand down. Instead, she slapped it right across Cunningham’s face.
While no one can say for sure as to what the underlying intentions, if any, were in Carrington’s mind, the controversy didn’t end there as Carrington soon posted about the incident on her social media.
“WHITE PRIVILEGE,” Carrington posted from the locker room after ejection, tagging the Indiana Fever.
The fans were quick to react, with some even criticizing the Fever coach for her different take.
Advertisement
“I’ve seen saying Steph needs to be fired for over a year. The reason she never defends Caitlin is because she agrees with the rough play. In fact, she taught DiJonai and AT how to play this way. She was there when AT clotheslined Angel. She backed it,” one fan said, referring to the fact that Carrington’s playing style might have been influenced by White herself when the two were with the Connecticut Sun.
“We gotta calm down, this is just de-escalation… because there’s race war on twitter after every fever game,” another fan said, highlighting that not everything should be blown out of proportion in an Indiana game.
“You can appreciate someone’s passion for play and also call them out for losing their cool and focus making a horrible decision and foul. Many coaches have in the past and will in the future……except this one,” another fan added.
“Whose team are you coaching?” one fan called out coach White for not defending Cunningham with more rigor.
Advertisement
“Way to have your players back,” another fan echoed the sentiment reflected by Fever fans, who think White should have taken a more prominent stance for Cunningham.
The Fever will certainly hope for a quieter game against the Liberty. The win against the Sky takes them to fourth place in the standings.
Trending Articles
The post Stephanie White Draws Criticism for Taking a Different Stance From ABC Commentators While Defending DiJonai Carrington appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
