The WNBA has a problem with its officials. A foul called on DiJonai Carrington during a crucial moment of a one-possession game is the perfect example.
Or is it?
This kind of controversy, for lack of better word, continues to be a real issue for the WNBA. I am hesitant to say that it is the worst league in professional sports when it comes to officiating, because I often see complaints about the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc., but the highest level of women’s basketball certainly seems to be in the headlines for bad calls more often than not over the last 18 or so months.
DiJonai Carrington got steamrolled.
The Dallas Wings trailed the Golden State Valkyries by just three points with less than two minutes remaining in their most recent meeting. Janelle Salaün fired a deep three-pointer that clanked off of the rim and out.
Carrington ran to the corner of the court to chase after the rebound. However, she decided at the last second to stop her pursuit and let the ball go out of bounds for a turnover. It was a smart play.
Tiffany Hayes came barreling down on top of Carrington as soon as she pulled up. The collision caused them both to hit the deck pretty hard.
Although it was Hayes who effectively ran Carrington over, it was Carrington who got called for the foul.
One of the worst WNBA calls. Terrible officiating. Call on Dijonai Carrington in the Dallas Wings vs Golden State Valkyrie pic.twitter.com/96jOgVQir1
— HISS Story (@FISTSBrown) July 26, 2025
The questionable call created a huge shift in momentum. What would’ve been a turnover in favor of the Wings instead became Valkyries ball. The latter went on to beat the former by 10.
Was it the right call?
Dallas fans were rightfully furious with the decision of the officials. They saw their player get mauled and thought for sure that she should’ve been awarded with a foul called on Tiffany Hayes.
On the flip side of this debate, Golden State fans were thrilled with the correct decision. They saw DiJonai Carrington stop her momentum to box out a charging Hayes, which caused them to collide.
I can see how the official decided to flag Carrington but I don’t agree with the call. She made a smart basketball play by letting the ball go out of bounds for a turnover. She did not initiate contact.
Rather, it was Hayes who ran through her.
The referee got this one wrong. He did not singlehandedly cause the Dallas Wings to lose but his call completely changed the momentum and outcome of the game. That can’t happen.