DiJonai Carrington had a courtside fan removed during the Chicago Sky’s loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday night, only for the spectator to later return after the complaint was deemed ‘unfounded’.
The incident happened with 8:47 remaining in the fourth quarter at Chase Center, when Carrington approached referee Sarah Williams and pointed towards a male fan sitting courtside.
The fan was then taken away from his seat by Chicago Sky and arena security before being allowed back after the complaint was reviewed.
DiJonai Carrington’s complaint leads to brief removal of courtside fan
A Golden State Valkyries official confirmed the outcome to ClutchPoints, saying: ‘The fan was cooperative after a complaint that was unfounded.’
Carrington’s specific complaint has not been made public. Footage from the broadcast also did not clearly show what the spectator allegedly said or did before security intervened.
A USA Network broadcaster acknowledged the uncertainty during the stoppage.
‘I don’t know what was or wasn’t said,’ the broadcaster said, while adding that respect for players was being taken seriously across the WNBA.
The Chicago Sky, WNBA and Chase Center did not publicly explain the incident, while Carrington also did not detail what happened after the game.
The episode came just four days after Carrington was ejected against the Indiana Fever following a Flagrant 2 foul on Sophie Cunningham.
That incident created further discussion after Carrington posted ‘WHITE PRIVILEGE’ on X while tagging the Fever. She later clarified that she was not claiming the foul itself was related to race.
Sophie Cunningham also said the foul had ‘nothing to do with race’.
There is no verified evidence connecting the courtside fan in San Francisco to that earlier controversy.
The situation also bears similarities to an incident involving Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young just days earlier. Young reported a comment from a front-row fan, but security later determined there had been no violation and the spectator was not ejected.
On the court, Golden State had little trouble finishing the night. The Valkyries won 91-71, improving to 24-9 and claiming their fifth straight victory.
Carrington, meanwhile, finished with three points, three rebounds and three turnovers in 24 minutes.
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