During a recent WNBA game, DiJonai Carrington was involved in a heated confrontation with referee Roy Gulbeyan that escalated to security being summoned. The incident took place after the Dallas Wings faced off against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena on May 30, 2025. Carrington, known for her competitiveness, challenged certain calls during the match, which appeared to upset Gulbeyan enough to call for security intervention.
Although the exact words exchanged between Carrington and the referee remain unclear, the situation was notable for the unusual step of involving security during a player-referee disagreement. The incident has drawn widespread attention given Carrington’s status as the reigning WNBA Most Improved Player and her assertive presence on the court.
Social Media Reacts to Security Incident Involving Carrington and Referee
Following the game, Carrington expressed her frustration publicly by sharing video footage of the confrontation and criticizing Gulbeyan’s decision. On the social media platform X, she posted:
Security…, when I’m literally having a civil conversation is insane,
and added,
Mind you, he called the ‘sEcUrItY’ over there.
—DiJonai Carrington, WNBA Player
Her followers and WNBA fans quickly voiced their support, condemning the referee’s actions. Many aligned with Carrington, emphasizing that calling security under these circumstances seemed excessive and inappropriate.
One fan remarked,
I’ve never seen a ref in the NBA call for security even when a player was out of line, this guy shouldn’t be a ref for doing this to her,
—Fan
Another expressed,
Doing this a ref, he needs to be fired. If you can’t have a heated discussion with a player and control it as a ref, he shouldn’t be a ref,
—Fan
And a third fan stated,
He should lose his job,
—Fan
Background on DiJonai Carrington’s Career and Current Season
At 27 years old, DiJonai Carrington is in her first season with the Dallas Wings after a major offseason involving a four-team trade. During the previous 2024 season with the Connecticut Sun, she averaged 12.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Although her current season stats indicate a slight decline, she remains a key contributor for the Wings.
Carrington’s competitive nature and vocal presence on the court add to the gravity of this incident, especially given her recent accolade as the Most Improved Player in the league. The situation with Gulbeyan has only increased the scrutiny on referee conduct in WNBA games.
Upcoming Match Offers a Chance to Watch Carrington’s Next Interaction with Officials
The Wings are scheduled to play the Chicago Sky again this Saturday, providing an opportunity to observe whether tensions between Carrington and the referees will continue. Given the attention this security incident has garnered, the upcoming games could see closer monitoring of player-official interactions. Fans will be eager to see how Carrington moves forward after this public and intense disagreement.