WNBA star Brittney Griner was ejected during the Atlanta Dream’s narrow 88-85 victory over Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings on Wednesday after receiving two technical fouls in quick succession. The second technical foul, which resulted in her early exit, was assessed for physical contact with an official. In contrast, just two days later, during the Wings’ game against the Indiana Fever, Bueckers appeared to make similar, if not more overt, contact with a referee but was not given a technical foul. This discrepancy has raised questions and frustrations about consistency in refereeing within the league.

Comparing the On-Court Conduct of Paige Bueckers and Brittney Griner

During Dallas’s defeat to Indiana on Friday, Paige Bueckers clearly made physical contact with a game official while disputing a call. The official acknowledged the action and issued only a warning to Bueckers without escalating it to a technical foul. When reviewing footage of Brittney Griner’s earlier incident against the Wings, Griner’s contact with the official was decisive in the assessment of her second technical foul. Analysts argue that Bueckers’ treatment contrasts sharply with Griner’s, leaving the technical foul protocols open to scrutiny.

Understanding WNBA’s Rules on Technical Fouls and Penalties

The WNBA rulebook defines several behaviors as unsportsmanlike conduct, particularly those involving interactions with officials. These include disrespectful speech, physical contact with referees, and demonstrative reactions that display dissatisfaction with calls. The rules specify that cursing or blaspheming officials is not alone sufficient to justify a technical foul, but ongoing tirades, persistent criticism, or complaining may result in disciplinary action based on the official’s judgment.

Financial penalties accompany technical fouls in the WNBA: the first three technical fouls result in $200 fines each; the next set of three warrants $400 fines; and upon reaching the seventh technical foul, a player faces an $800 fine plus a one-game suspension. This punishment increases with every technical foul beyond the seventh.

Current Technical Foul Standings Among WNBA Players and Coaches

Following her double technical fouls in the recent game, Brittney Griner has accumulated three technical fouls in the 2025 season so far. Paige Bueckers, despite the recent incident, remains officially credited with only one technical foul this season, a tally many believe should be higher if consistency prevailed.

As of August 2, Angel Reese leads the WNBA with seven technical fouls, followed by Shakira Austin with five. Several others, including head coach Stephanie White and Allisha Gray, have four technical fouls. A group including Griner, Kelsey Plum, Becky Hammon, Lynne Roberts, Natasha Cloud, Bria Hartley, and Alyssa Thomas sits with three technical fouls each. Additionally, 18 players and coaches have received two technical fouls, featuring Caitlin Clark despite playing only 13 games this season.

Implications of the Technical Foul Discrepancy in the WNBA

The different treatments of Brittney Griner and Paige Bueckers regarding physical contact with officials have stirred frustration among players, coaches, and fans alike. The inconsistency risks undermining the league’s credibility and calls for clearer enforcement of rules to ensure fairness on the court. How the WNBA addresses such controversies moving forward may affect player conduct standards and the integrity of game officiating throughout the remainder of the season.