WNBA star Brittney Griner unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade at WNBA officials after being penalized for an offensive foul on a Dallas Wings player in the first half
Brittney Griner argued and yelled at WNBA referees(Image: CBS)
Atlanta Dream star Brittney Griner unleashed an F-bomb tirade at WNBA referees over a supposed late foul call in the first half against the Dallas Wings.
The 6-foot-9 Griner, who spent time in a Russian prison after she was detained on a drug offense before being found guilty and sentenced to nine years but was later released in a prisoner exchange, confronted referees in the middle of a halftime CBS interview. Griner, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, was penalized for an offensive foul before the break despite the Dream leading the Wings.
“Be f—— better,” Griner allegedly told the referees before returning to her CBS interview obligation. Griner apologized to the CBS interviewer and the fans watching the WNBA clash. “I’m sorry, y’all,” she added.
Griner’s actions have drawn a mixed reaction on social media, with some empathizing with the Dream star over the late foul call and others deciding that her tirade was unacceptable.
“I was watching this live. I feel Brittney Griner’s pain. With her being so [tall, she] can’t do nothing without the refs calling a foul on her,” one said on X.
Meanwhile, others referenced the prisoner swap that set Griner free in 2022. Griner was exchanged for Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death.” Another tweeted: “We traded an international arms dealer for this.”
Griner’s displeasure stemmed from a supposed late foul call(Image: CBS)
“She is out of control. If the WNBA wants to be relevant, they need to be fair in their treatment,” a third respondent said. “If you want respect, start by showing it, not by yelling obscenities,” a fourth tweeted.
Griner scored 15 points and recorded eight rebounds on a night that saw Wings rookie Paige Bueckers shine despite the defeat.
The 23-year-old showed what she’s about despite the Wings being 0-4 in 2025. Bueckers earned praise from Dream star Allisha Gray. “Paige is a great player, great rookie,” Gray said.
Griner allegedly dropped an F-bomb(Image: CBS)
“Making a great impact. I’m excited to see her future. The whole rookie class is doing great, so I’m excited for the future of the W.”
Gray also talked up the Wings’ potential with Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale. “With Arike, and Paige, they can score…only thing I can do is make the shots difficult…they’re shot makers and great players…just try and make it as difficult for them as I can.” Gray said.
Ogunbowale agrees. “I’m so glad that Dallas was able to get her. She’s an amazing player and she’s already really mature, so she’s gonna come in and make a big impact,” she said on the former UConn star.
Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings have yet to win a game under new head coach Chris Koclanes(Image: Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Bueckers is also looking forward to learning more about Ogunbowale as the season continues. “I’m excited. She’s electric,” Bueckers said.
“She can score at all three levels…obviously a bucket-getter, so looking to assist her a lot, space the floor, get her open looks, play off each other.”
Bueckers will return to Connecticut next to face the Sun. She spent five seasons with the Huskies, winning the national championship in her final game under legendary coach Geno Auriemma.
