DiJonai Carrington finally addresses foul on Sophie Cunningham after getting hero's welcome from fans in Seattle

DiJonai Carrington has claimed her vicious foul on Sophie Cunningham was 'unfortunate' and 'never intentional' as she returned to the court Monday night.

Carrington was given a raucous reception by fans in Seattle when she checked into the Sky's game against the Storm just 48 hours after sparking the latest WNBA race scandal.

On Saturday, she came from behind and hit the Fever's Cunningham in the head and neck on a layup, knocking her to the court as the shot went in. The play was reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 2 before she was ejected from the game.

Speaking after she scored a career-high 26 points in the 97-88 loss to Seattle, Carrington said of the foul: 'It was unfortunate that I made contact with her in the way that I did, but it was never intentional.

'And, look, it might happen again. That’s just how I play. I’m gonna always go all out. 

'I’m not gonna just let an open layup happen. But like I said, I’m never intending to hurt anybody, regardless of the outside noise or whatever the situation may be.'

When asked whether Cunningham should have been penalized for her angry reaction to the foul, Carrington continued: 'I would just love consistency across the board when it comes to things like that.

'Whether it’s the foul that I commit, whether it’s the reaction or retaliation, I would just love for it to be consistent across the board, regardless of the name on your jersey or your skin color or the score of the game, whatever.

'I don’t think we’re there yet. That’s something that I’ve talked to the league about, as well. I think that will eliminate a lot of frustrations we all have.'

Earlier on Monday, Carrington also addressed the 'white privilege' post she shared on Threads from the locker room just moments after her ejection.

Many, including podcaster and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, assumed the 'white privilege' referred to officials' decision to eject an African-American player for fouling a white rival. 

But Carrington, who has two degrees from Stanford, didn't exactly clear up what the meaning of the post was and only added further fuel to the fire.

'I've never once claimed that the assessment of the foul was white privilege (that was your assumption),' the 28-year-old San Diego native wrote on X. 

'Try exercising your critical thinking skills, I know you studied psych. Furthermore, I'm the LAST thing from ignorant or asinine when it comes to speaking on 'white privilege', do ya research on that one.

'I actually went to school, one of the top universities might I add, to educate myself on this exact subject,' continued Carrington, who has degrees in psychology as well as African and African-American Studies. 

'I would never use that term as a rhetorical weapon knowing the historical and social weight it holds without having the proper evidence to substantiate it.'

Acho did not dismiss Carrington's perspective entirely.

In fact, he defended Carrington's on-court claim that she was trying to make a 'basketball play' – presumably an effort to break up a fast-break by committing a hard foul. 

'Dijonai Carrington made a basketball play,' Acho said. 'The refs made a basketball ruling. So can we stick to basketball for moment? Basketball play. She was attempting to go for the ball – at least she said so. She missed, and she missed egregiously. 

'She missed and she flagrantly hit Sophie Cunningham in the head. Now, Flagrant 2, by definition: If you hit somebody with so much force that it could lead to injury, and it doesn't appear to be a play on the ball.

'Have we seen examples of white players make that same foul and get away with it?' Acho asked. 'Have we seen examples of black players make that same foul and get away with it? Yes. There was no white privilege involved in that specific call.'

Cunningham, however, has addressed Carrington's 'white privilege' claim head on.

'I think the league is taking care of that. This has nothing to do with race,' she told ESPN. 'Last year, I did the same thing and I got kicked out. And I deserved to be kicked out. There's no reason even to play that card.'

On the incident, Cunningham added: 'Clearly, I think it was like unnecessary. I've never really spoken to her and have no beef with her, but I guess she has some pent up stuff. So get your s*** off. That's fine. I can take it.'

Cunningham suggested Carrington was simply 'craving' attention. 'I do think when people play the Fever, we're nationally televised, there's a lot of eyes on us and people just want attention. And that's her just trying to get attention,' she continued.

'I don't even know her. She wasn't even on the team last year when all that was going on... it's intentional. She wasn't even on the team. She has no reason to be doing any of that. So, good way to get her kicked out.'

Following the foul, Cunningham immediately climbed to her feet and attempted to confront Carrington, only for teammates and staff to drag her away.

Footage from courtside appeared to show Cunningham calling her rival a 'dumb a** b****' and shouting: 'Why the f*** would you do that?'

After the game, however, Cunningham insisted: 'I wasn't even upset... 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.

'I mean, s***, people have started craving attention. Like, go get it somewhere else. Go do something good in the world.'