In an intense WNBA game on May 24, Brittney Griner sparked a halftime interview controversy during the Atlanta Dream’s 83-75 victory over the Dallas Wings. Frustrated by officiating, Griner abruptly left the interview, confronted the referees, and shouted an expletive, drawing widespread attention and mixed reactions from fans and commentators.
Griner’s Heated Reaction and Game Performance
Brittney Griner, standing 6-foot-9, appeared visibly upset with the officials throughout the game. After a slow start, she contributed 15 points, eight rebounds, and one assist, helping the Dream secure the win. At halftime, while starting an interview, Griner walked away mid-question to address the referees near the court. During this exchange, she sharply told the officials, “Be (expletive) better,” before returning to finish the interview, a moment that caught the attention of fans and social media.
The game also saw an early setback for Atlanta when point guard Te-Hina Paopao suffered a facial injury and had to exit, leaving the team short-handed for the remainder of the contest.
Fan Reactions to Griner’s On-Court Outburst
The clip of Griner’s interaction with the referees quickly spread online, eliciting a range of responses. Some fans criticized the officials, with one commenting, “These people are so unprofessional.” Others joked about potential consequences, asking,
“How much will the fine be?”
Another supporter expressed agreement with her frustration, saying, “Somebody had to say it.”
Many viewers appreciated Griner’s boldness, as one fan wrote,
“God I love BG on Atlanta she’s so funny,”
while another added,
“We need more players doing this. Refs somehow keep getting worse.”
However, some were aware that her comments might lead to disciplinary action, noting,
“That’s about to hurt the wallet.”
Supporting Performances from Teammates and Opponents
Aside from Griner’s strong showing, Allisha Gray stood out for the Dream with 27 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. Meanwhile, Dallas Wings’ top draft pick Paige Bueckers recorded 11 points, four rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, though the Wings suffered their fourth consecutive loss. They are set to face the Connecticut Sun on May 28, aiming to end their losing streak.