In a stunning and violent turn of events during Sunday’s WNBA matchup between the Washington mystics and the Connecticut Sun, superstar center Brittney Griner was ejected from the game in the second quarter after throwing a brutal elbow that connected directly with the face of Sun guard Sonia Citron.
The incident occurred with 4:23 remaining in the second quarter. As the Sun pushed the ball in transition, Griner set a bone-jarring screen near the free-throw line. In an attempt to shed the defender, the 6’9″ center swung her right elbow with immense force, catching Citron square in the eye area. The impact was immediate and terrifying: Citron crumpled to the hardwood, clutching her face as officials immediately blew their whistles.
Trainers rushed to the court as Citron lay motionless for several moments. She was eventually helped to the locker room, visibly bleeding and with significant swelling already forming around her orbital bone. Initial reports from the Sun medical staff indicated a suspected orbital fracture, though official confirmation was pending.
The referees huddled at the scorer’s table, reviewing the play on the monitor. After a tense deliberation, they upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, resulting in Griner’s automatic ejection. The former Olympic gold medalist appeared stunned as she left the court, removing her headband and shaking her head in disbelief while Sun fans showered the court with boos.
“That was a reckless, dangerous play,” Sun head coach Stephanie White said in a postgame press conference. “Sonia is a warrior, but she took an unnecessary shot to the face. Our thoughts are with her right now.”
Griner’s agent released a statement claiming the elbow was unintentional, a byproduct of her size and the physical nature of post play. However, the league’s disciplinary committee is expected to review the incident for a potential suspension. With Citron likely sidelined for an extended period, the WNBA now faces heightened scrutiny over player safety and the enforcement of physical play at the highest level.