The Minnesota Lynx are having a phenomenal run in the 2025 WNBA season, sitting atop the Western Conference with an impressive 11-1 record. Much of their success can be attributed to standout performances from players like Napheesa Collier, who is averaging 24.4 points per game this season.
But while their on-court performance is grabbing headlines, it was a recent practice session that sparked a different kind of conversation, which was about the state of officiating in the WNBA.
Courtney Williams Believes That the Physicality in the League Has Been Present for a Long Time
During a media session at the Lynx’s practice facility inside the Mayo Clinic, veteran guard Courtney Williams didn’t hold back when asked about the rising physicality in the league and whether the officiating has evolved to match it.
“I don’t think it’s changed, I just think there’s more eyes on it. I think anytime you bring a bunch of people into something, it’s going to give us something to talk about. People love drama… If they like it, I love it,” said Williams during the interview.
Moreover, the shooting guard didn’t stop there. She even touched on the fact that physical altercations and brawls have long been part of the WNBA landscape, referencing the infamous brawl involving former WNBA player Cheryl Ford during her time with the Detroit Shock. That 2008 incident, which saw Ford tear her ACL during the game between the Los Angeles Sparks and Shock, was one of the most intense altercations in league history.
“But I mean, the game has always been physical. I mean, you can look back on, I mean, Cheryl had a whole brawl way way back in the day. If we had as many fans, then they would be everywhere. So I think it’s just all the eyes on the game now, I don’t think nothing has changed,” added Williams during the interview.
Williams’ comment comes in the wake of increasing concern over how physical the WNBA has become, especially after the chaotic June 17 matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun.
In the third quarter of that game, Caitlin Clark was poked in the eye while guarding Jacy Sheldon. Later, Clark was sent crashing to the floor after a hard hit by Connecticut’s Marina Mabrey. Initially assessed a technical foul, Mabrey’s punishment was later upgraded to a Flagrant 2 after the game, which is a decision that left many wondering why it took so long to make the call.
But the chaos didn’t end there.
With just seconds remaining, Sheldon went up for a layup when Fever forward Sophie Cunningham came from behind, pulled Sheldon’s hair, and dragged her down. The incident sparked a heated on-court confrontation. After this happened, Cunningham was immediately ejected with a Flagrant 2 while Sheldon and Connecticut’s Lindsay Allen were also tossed for their roles in the scuffle.
Currently, Williams is having a solid season for the Lynx, averaging 13.0 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. Now she and her teammates will look to continue their dominant run when they face the Sparks on June 21 at Target Center.
