A heated matchup between the Los Angeles Sparks and Connecticut Sun took an unexpected turn Saturday night when veteran center Brittney Griner was ejected following an on-court altercation involving Sparks forward Cameron Brink.
The incident occurred midway through the third quarter with the game tightly contested. As players battled for position under the basket during a rebound attempt, tensions appeared to rise between Griner and Brink. According to officials, Griner was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and immediately ejected after video review appeared to show her pulling Brink’s hair during the scuffle.
The crowd inside Crypto.com Arena reacted with a mixture of shock and boos as referees announced the decision. Brink briefly remained on the floor while trainers checked on her before she returned to the game moments later.
“I was just trying to box out and make a play on the ball,” Brink told reporters after the game. “Things got physical, but I’m okay and focused on helping my team win.”
Griner, visibly frustrated as she exited the court, declined to speak with media members immediately following the ejection. Sun head coach Stephanie White defended her star center but acknowledged emotions had boiled over during the intense contest.
“It’s a competitive game,” White said. “We’ll review everything and address it internally.”
The Sparks capitalized on the momentum shift, using a late fourth-quarter surge to secure a dramatic 88-81 victory. Fans and analysts immediately took to social media, debating whether the officials made the correct call and what disciplinary action, if any, the league might take.
League officials have not yet announced whether Griner will face additional penalties. The incident is expected to be reviewed in the coming days.
Despite the controversy, both teams emphasized the importance of moving forward as they continue their push toward the postseason.