It began like any other game. But it didn’t end like one.

In what was supposed to be a high-stakes WNBA showdown, Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington delivered a move so controversial, so jarring, that it’s ignited a firestorm across the league—and perhaps marked a turning point in how the WNBA treats player safety, accountability, and its rapidly growing fanbase.

What Carrington did on the court wasn’t just a hard foul or competitive edge gone too far. It was a pattern coming to a head. And now, the conversation has escalated far beyond a single play. Across social media, in sports talk shows, and even among former players, a question is echoing louder than ever:

Should DiJonai Carrington be permanently banned from the WNBA?

The Hair Pull That Lit the Fuse

It was the third quarter of a tense game between the Dallas Wings and the Los Angeles Sparks when the incident occurred. Cameras captured Carrington reaching out, grabbing opposing guard Sarah Ashley Barker by her ponytail, and yanking her violently to the ground.

The reaction was instantaneous. Gasps echoed throughout the arena. Commentators were stunned. Social media lit up in real-time. “That’s not basketball,” one analyst said flatly. “That’s assault.”

And yet, referees downgraded the contact to a mere “loose ball foul.” No technical. No ejection. No suspension.

That moment, frozen in slow motion across every sports network and Twitter feed in the country, was not just the latest chapter in Carrington’s controversial style of play—it was the boiling point. Fans weren’t just angry. They were outraged. And the target of their fury wasn’t just Carrington anymore—it was the WNBA itself.

The List Is Long — And It’s Growing

What makes the Barker incident so explosive is that it wasn’t isolated. Over the past five games alone, Carrington has racked up three official flagrant fouls, and video evidence suggests at least two more that weren’t called but were just as dangerous.

Let’s break it down:

Game vs. Indiana Fever: Carrington swiped across Caitlin Clark’s face during a fast break, catching her in the eye. The footage was clear, slow-motion analysis highlighted every frame. Clark, visibly shaken, clutched her face and paused. Fans froze. Commentators gasped. No flagrant was assessed.

Game vs. Phoenix Mercury: An undercut on Skylar Diggins-Smith mid-air. Diggins crashed to the floor. Again, no call.

Game vs. Minnesota Lynx: An elbow to Jessica Shepard that left her winded. Commentators described it as “unnecessary and dangerous.” No tech. No flagrant.

Practice Scrimmage Footage (2023): A leaked video showed Carrington body-checking then-teammate Paige Bueckers with enough force to knock her into the stands.

This isn’t a streak. It’s a resume.

And many argue it’s no longer just about basketball—it’s about safety.

Caitlin Clark: The Unwilling Center of Controversy

No player has drawn more attention to the WNBA this season than Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever rookie sensation has filled arenas, spiked national ratings, and brought millions of new eyes to the league. According to ESPN, the May 18 Fever–Sky matchup became the most-watched WNBA regular-season game in 23 years, drawing 2.3 million viewers.

But those millions also watched something else: Clark getting physically targeted—again and again.

After Carrington’s eye poke went viral, fans demanded answers. The footage showed her hand reaching out, not toward the ball, but across Clark’s face. Clark stumbled, clearly hurt. And still, no statement came from the league.

“She looked up and grabbed the ponytail on purpose,” one former WNBA player told The Athletic. “If that happens in the UFC, it’s a disqualification. Why is it allowed here?”

The WNBA’s Deafening Silence

While fans rage and analysts debate, the WNBA has maintained an uncomfortable silence. No fines. No suspensions. No statements from Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Just business as usual.

Yet, under the current WNBA rules, accumulating multiple flagrant fouls within a short period should result in automatic suspension.

So what gives?

Sports commentator Mark Jackson said it best on his podcast last week:

“If the league won’t enforce its own rules—especially when a superstar like Caitlin Clark is being targeted—what message are they sending to players, to fans, to sponsors?”

And that’s the real crisis here: not just one player’s behavior, but institutional inaction.

Social Media Explodes—and the Fans Are Done Being Quiet

Across Reddit threads, TikTok clips, and YouTube breakdowns, Carrington’s hits are being stitched together like a greatest-hits album of dirty plays. Clips are titled:

“DiJonai Carrington: The Dirtiest Player in Basketball?”

“When Will the WNBA Wake Up?”

“Protect Caitlin Clark Before It’s Too Late”

Twitter user @WNBAwatchdog wrote:

“This isn’t hustle. It’s dangerous. If you’re not going to protect your stars, don’t be shocked when your ratings collapse.”

One radio caller said it more bluntly:

“This isn’t the WNBA anymore. It’s WWE on hardwood.”

Is a Ban Even Possible?

Here’s what’s crucial: under Rule 14 of the WNBA Player Code of Conduct, repeated flagrant fouls—especially ones endangering player safety—can lead to multi-game suspensions or even a ban pending league review.

The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) has yet to release an official defense, but some insiders suggest a major internal discussion is already underway. Multiple sources say league executives are “concerned” about optics—balancing discipline with perception.

But critics argue this is not a PR problem. This is a safety issue. And inaction will cost more than image. It could cost lives—or at least careers.

The Fallout for Commissioner Cathy Engelbert

The league’s commissioner is now squarely in the crosshairs. The hashtags #FireTheEyePoker and #HoldEngelbertAccountable have trended for days.

What’s at stake? Everything.

Integrity of the league

Future safety of its stars

Trust from its expanding fanbase

Clark is a generational talent. So is Angel Reese. So is A’ja Wilson. The WNBA’s growth depends on protecting them—not just celebrating them.

If Carrington’s behavior goes unchecked, what precedent does that set for others?

Final Word: This Isn’t About One Player Anymore

Carrington may have started the fire, but it’s the league’s silence that’s keeping it burning. Fans want to believe the WNBA is a place for fierce competition—not unchecked violence. They want hard defense—not headline-making assaults.

And they’re watching closely.

If Engelbert doesn’t act, she may not just lose control of the situation—she may lose the fans that made this league’s growth possible in the first place.

Because let’s be clear: this isn’t about passion—it’s about protection. And right now, that protection is nowhere to be found.