The rivalry between the Seattle Storm and the Chicago Sky added another volatile chapter on Tuesday night, as veteran guard Dijonai Carrington was ejected for the second time this season after catching rookie standout Flau’jae Johnson with a hard, intentional elbow.
The incident occurred late in the third quarter during a heated scramble for a rebound. As Johnson boxed out, Carrington swung her arm in a swinging motion, catching the rookie directly in the jaw. Johnson crumpled to the floor, clutching her face, as officials immediately reviewed the play. After a brief video check, they assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected Carrington, who walked off the court shaking her head in disbelief.
“It was a basketball play that went wrong,” Carrington told reporters postgame. “But I understand the rule. I’ve got to be smarter.”
This marks the second ejection for Carrington in 2025, following a similar incident against the Connecticut Sun in June. Her physical, no-nonsense playing style has made her a polarizing figure, but critics argue her aggression is crossing a line.
Johnson, the Sky’s explosive rookie from LSU, remained in the game and later sunk two clutch free throws in Chicago’s 91-88 victory. She finished with 24 points and 7 rebounds, showing no lingering effects.
“I’m fine,” Johnson said with a shrug. “I play physical too. But there’s a line, and she crossed it. We got the win, that’s all that matters.”
Storm head coach Noelle Quinn declined to comment on the ejection, stating the league would handle discipline. The WNBA is expected to review the play for a potential suspension, which could be a major blow to Seattle’s playoff push.
With the season entering its final stretch, the tension between these two young teams is boiling over—and the league may soon have to step in before things get even more heated.
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