“Almost every play is absurd.” And if you are a player in the W, you would feel the same. After all, these officiating issues have
become the league’s identity over the of years. So, whenever we, as fans, watch certain games, we too are left with a salty taste in our mouths. Simply because a certain player did not deserve to be treated in a particular way or be completely overlooked by the refs. While the physical aspect of the game has largely been processed as part of the ordeal, it is the looming inconsistencies that makes one wonder what the refs are truly looking for?
Though almost every other team has fallen victim to the officiating troubles this season, the latest team to raise an issue was none other than Los Angeles Sparks. The matter came to light after a gruelling 89-81 defeat against Golden State Valkyries. In a post-game interview, Sparks athlete Kelsey Plum opened up about her excruciating experience against the referees.
“The game either go into the third, into the fourth where they’re just f-ing coming and swinging and they they just don’t call anything,” Plum explained. “And I don’t understand how that’s six free throws of playing 40 minutes touching the paint. Almost every play is absurd.” As a guard that averaged 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists against the Valkyries, Plum sounded frustrated with the officials decision. After all, she was handed with fouls each time she went in for a basket.
This was the prime reason that Sparks lagged behind the newly-expanded team. Besides, the game was dragged overtime before the Sparks lost with just a 7-point margin. “So, I’m saying like I’ll get fined for that and that’s fine. But I needed to make more shots late game but they’re fouling the f- out of me every single play,” she said. “So, I’m very frustrated with that and I’m sick of it. I don’t know what I need to do. I talk to the ref nice, I pray before the game. I’m over it.” Plum sounded emotional as she signed off.
Moreover, national analyst Rachel DeMita addressed the issue on her
latest Youtube video. “
Why they call games the way that they do- and it’s pretty much not their decision,” Rachel revealed. “
It is higher-ups telling them what to do. Then you will see that this is not only a referee’s problem. It’s a top- down problem and I don’t think much is going to change.” Bringing in a fresh perspective in the matter, the analyst said that even the referees cannot take certain decisions sometimes. So, each time we’ve felt awkward regarding a refs decision, let us understand that it was not them.
The officials are not solely responsible for taking the decisions. They convey orders that are passed down in a hierarchical order. Remember the 2024 WNBA finals? The one where Minnesota Lynx HC Cheryl Reeve was frustrated and blamed the officials for stealing the win. Maybe, the officials were only following the orders and not directly relaying them. While Cathy Engelbert was seen wearing the NYC’s skyline during the finals, a lot of us had the same question- Did the W commissioner already know the outcome of the match? Were the title winners pre-decided?
While it is impossible to do so in a live match, Reeve’s post-match frustration does highlight that the Lynx strongly felt that they were wronged. Especially Napheesa Collier. “But the referee problem is not going to change until the people who are in charge of the referees tell the referees what to call, what not to call, what is a foul- if they want to make the game less physical,” DeMita suggested. Once the officials have a blueprint, it will be easier for them and the players, and will avoid conflict-based scenarios.
Having said that, DeMita compared the league to NBA, that has strict officiating rules in place for the athletes. Emphasizing on her suggestion, the analyst said, “They absolutely can do that because we have seen the NBA do that. They have the proof of concept. They changed the style of the NBA by making the game less physical and therefore protecting their players and this is something that we continue to talk about.”
Though WNBA has also implemented programs like the Referee Engagement Performance System (REPS) to assess the officials, it seems like the players and fans are largely unsatisfied. And as Plum addressed her confusion on how to behave with the refs to avoid getting in trouble, this officiating issue seems to stem deeper into the 2025 regular season and is here to stay.
Seattle Storm faces the wrath of the WNBA Officials
Seattle Storm faced major physicality issues at the hands of Dallas Wings. While the Wings could not grab a victory, they resorted to dirty play and tried disrupting the Storm’s playmaking. The player to cause havoc was none other than DiJonai Carrington. While the athlete is known for her defensive performances, her so-called reckless play received little to no attention from the refs.
Storm athlete Gabby Williams was the first player at receiving end of Dijonai Carrington’s “just hard” play. While the athlete was about to land after attempting a jump shot, the Wings player stood in her landing space. While this tactic could have serious repercussions in the NBA, which has strict landing rules, Carrington got away as Williams rolled her ankle in the process.
Yes, you read that right. Carrington got away with something that was even caught on camera. No foul, no call. Nothing. And it was probably this action from officials that further prompted the athlete. So, the next player to suffer her wrath was none other than star player Skylar Diggins.
When the Storm guard went for a fast break layup in the fourth quarter of the game, a confident Carrington leaped to block the shot. Instead of dodging the ball, Carrington’s hand landed on Diggin’s head and sent the Storm athlete crashing to the floor. However, the referees did not stay silent this time and slapped the team with a flagrant foul 1.
And while she was largely called out for her dirty play, Carrington established herself as an aggressive athlete and informed fans how she further rescinded that flagrant foul. And as players keep playing dirty and take advantage of the officials, will Cathy Engelbert & Co. take the referee matters in their hands before the issue explodes or just wait and watch athletes suffer? Who knows.
The post Officiating Blunders Exposes 156 Players to Deeper WNBA Crisis as National Analyst Sounds Alarm After Kelsey Plum’s Rant appeared first on EssentiallySports.
