Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington is facing backlash again after an incident during Friday’s 93-79 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. In the third quarter, Carrington yanked Sparks rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker down by the hair while chasing a loose ball. Officials called it a common foul, not a flagrant. Barker made both free throws, putting Los Angeles up 67-53.
Carrington put up 16 points, grabbed four boards, handed out four assists, but also turned the ball over seven times in a tough outing. On the other side, Barker came off the bench and chipped in with four points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal during her 15 minutes on the floor.
All five Los Angeles starters scored in double figures. Forward Azura Stevens led with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals. The Sparks improved to 3-6. They are trying to bounce back after a 2024 season where they finished with the league’s worst record at 8-32.
The Wings dropped to 1-8. Rookie Paige Bueckers missed her second straight game while in concussion protocol. She was selected first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft after the Wings went 9-31 last season.
DiJonai Carrington’s Growing History of Dangerous Plays is Drawing League-Wide Scrutiny
This was not the first controversial moment involving Carrington this season. She now leads the WNBA in flagrant fouls. Her first came in the season opener against the Minnesota Lynx when she struck Jessica Shepard in the head. Tuesday’s game got chippy. She picked up a flagrant-1 after catching Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins on a fast break.
WNBA players are actually evil bruh 😭 pic.twitter.com/u52VjvUtGw
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) June 7, 2025
In the same game, Carrington contested a shot by Gabby Williams and landed in her space. Williams came down awkwardly and appeared to roll her ankle. Carrington was not penalized for that play.
She seriously needs a suspension. It’s a clear pattern at this point
— Ricky Lahey💨🌲 (@Heisenberg_5520) June 7, 2025
A video of Friday’s hair pull spread quickly online. “She seriously needs a suspension. It’s a clear pattern at this point,” one fan wrote.
Dirtiest player in the league. Obviously intentional. Should be suspended before she really hurts somebody. She’s gonna target Caitlin again the next time they play.
— shekainah1973 (@shekainah1973) June 7, 2025
“Dirtiest player in the league. Obviously intentional. Should be suspended before she really hurts somebody,” another added. Others called it “a flagrant” and questioned why she was allowed to stay in the game.
How is she not tossed for that?
— Iowa Noice! (@DontPanicMayday) June 7, 2025
Another fan said, “How is she not tossed for that?”
On-air personality Jason Whitlock was also critical. “Another ‘accident’ from DiJonai Carrington. She should be banned from the WNBA. But no one can dare ask a question about this pattern of behavior. It would be racist,” he wrote on social media.
Carrington Denies Being a Dirty Player and Defends Her Physical Style
Following her flagrant foul earlier in the week, Carrington pushed back at criticism on social media. She said her defensive style has been misunderstood and challenged the narrative surrounding her play.
“Yall fAnS swear i’m such a dirty player. I’m SO over this narrative bc if u really know bball, u know I jus play hard asf & never give up on a play. &yup, we challenged the last couple flagrants & got em rescinded bc I’m ALWAYS tryna make a play on the ball nun more, nun less.…🩷”
Yall fAnS swear i’m such a dirty player. I’m SO over this narrative bc if u really know bball, u know I jus play hard asf & never give up on a play.
&yup, we challenged the last couple flagrants & got em rescinded bc I’m ALWAYS tryna make a play on the ball nun more, nun less.🩷— dιjonaι carrιngтon♛ (@DijonaiVictoria) June 4, 2025
Carrington won the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2024 and is known for her energy on defense. But after three flagged incidents in eight games, fans are calling on the league to step in. “She’s gonna seriously hurt someone someday,” one user posted. Another said, “How is she not tossed for that?”
If Carrington’s claims of rescinded fouls are true, she may avoid league discipline. But public pressure is rising, and every play going forward will be under the spotlight.