DiJonai Carrington Denies Intentionally Poking Caitlin Clark in the Eye During Playoff Game

In the wake of the Indiana Fever’s defeat to the Connecticut Sun in their first WNBA playoff appearance since 2016, Fever star DiJonai Carrington has responded to allegations that she intentionally poked Caitlin Clark in the eye. The incident, which occurred during the game, left Clark with a black eye for the remainder of the match, fueling online speculation about Carrington’s intent.

During the game, Clark was making a pass to teammate Aaliyah Boston when the eye-poking incident occurred. Referees did not call a foul at the time, but after an alternate camera angle of the play surfaced on social media, fans began to accuse Carrington of purposefully injuring the Fever rookie sensation. The viral clip sparked controversy, leading to discussions about Carrington’s sportsmanship.

Addressing the claims during a media session, Carrington firmly denied any malicious intent. “I don’t even know why I would intentionally hit anyone in the eye. It doesn’t make sense,” Carrington explained. She clarified that she was simply trying to make a play on the ball, and any contact with Clark’s eye was purely accidental. “Obviously, it was never intentional; that’s not the type of player I am.”

For her part, Caitlin Clark echoed Carrington’s remarks, stating during practice that she did not believe the incident was deliberate. Clark emphasized that such things happen in the heat of competition, and there was no ill will from Carrington.

Despite the Fever’s tough 93-69 loss, the game has drawn attention beyond the scoreboard, with this incident dominating headlines. As the playoffs progress, fans will continue to watch how both Carrington and Clark perform under pressure, but for now, the controversy surrounding the eye poke appears to be settled with both players on the same page.