Dijonai Carrington Tries To GOUGE Another EYE OUT against Lynx! Does the WNBA Even Give A S**T?!
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Dijonai Carrington’s Eye Gouge Controversy: Is the WNBA Ignoring Player Safety?
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The WNBA season is barely underway, and already, controversy is swirling around Connecticut Sun guard Dijonai Carrington. In just the third game of the season, Carrington found herself at the center of a firestorm after an incident against the Minnesota Lynx that left fans, analysts, and players questioning the league’s commitment to player safety and sportsmanship.
It was a play that seemed to happen in slow motion, yet its impact reverberated instantly across social media and sports talk shows. As Carrington went up to contest a shot, her outstretched fingers made direct, aggressive contact with the face of a Lynx player, sparking outrage and reigniting a debate that has dogged the league since last season: Is the WNBA doing enough to protect its athletes?
Three Games In, Trouble Already
“We’re three games in, and Dijonai Carrington has already tried to take somebody’s eyeball out of their skull with those damn fingernails,” one Black and White Sports commentator ranted in a now-viral video. “I kid you not. I saw this and thought, ‘You’ve got to be joking. We just started the season, and we’re already trying to rake people’s eyeballs out.’”
The play in question was both shocking and, to some, depressingly familiar. Carrington, known for her physical style of defense, appeared to swipe at the ball but instead made contact with her opponent’s eye. The replay was damning: fingers extended, nails prominent, Carrington’s hand raked across the face of the Lynx’s starting guard. The crowd gasped, and the television announcers fell momentarily silent.
A History of Aggression
For many fans, this was not an isolated incident. Carrington’s reputation for aggressive defense precedes her, but critics argue she consistently crosses the line. “She’s poking people in the eye like Ric Flair on the Von Erichs back in ’83,” the commentator continued, referencing the infamous pro wrestling villain’s signature move. “What are we doing? I saw physical basketball with the Bad Boys Pistons growing up, but I don’t ever remember them trying to scoop people’s eyeballs out of their skulls.”
The comparison may be tongue-in-cheek, but the concern is real. Last season, Carrington was involved in another high-profile incident, this time with Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. In that game, Carrington’s hand once again found its way to an opponent’s face, leaving Clark shaken and sparking a wave of criticism about the league’s officiating and disciplinary standards.
The League’s Response: Silence
Despite the uproar, the WNBA has remained conspicuously silent. There was no flagrant foul called on the play, and as of press time, no disciplinary action had been announced. For some, this silence speaks volumes.
“Is there a commissioner in this league?” the commentator asked, exasperated. “Is there any leadership at all? The WNBA pretends to care about player safety, but they allow Carrington to play with daggers for fingernails. Someone is going to get seriously hurt.”
The frustration is palpable. The WNBA has made strides in recent years, growing its audience and attracting new fans with the influx of college stars like Clark and Paige Bueckers. But for all its progress, critics say the league is failing at the most basic level: protecting its players from unnecessary harm.
Social Media Outrage
The incident quickly became a trending topic on social media, with fans and analysts dissecting every angle of the replay. “That’s a full-blown eye rake,” one fan tweeted. “She was trying to injure. It’s crazy.” Another added, “Are we still trying to convince people this is basketball? Or is this roller derby?”
Others called for the league to review Carrington’s college tapes to determine if this pattern of behavior stretches further back than her professional career. “Someone should look at her college tapes and see how long she’s been aiming at opponents’ eyes,” a user suggested. “Has this been going on for years?”
Is This the Image the WNBA Wants?
The league’s image is at stake. As the WNBA seeks to expand its fanbase and secure lucrative television deals, incidents like these threaten to overshadow the progress made on and off the court. “This is not how you get eyeballs on the sport—no pun intended,” the commentator quipped. “This is not how it should be done.”
The WNBA has a zero-tolerance policy for offensive language and unsportsmanlike conduct, but critics argue that the league is inconsistent when it comes to policing physical play. “They have zero tolerance for mean words, but they allow Carrington to play with daggers for fingernails,” the commentator said. “Someone is going to get seriously hurt at the hands of Dijonai ‘Scissorhands’ Carrington.”
The Stare Down: Lack of Sportsmanship?
Adding fuel to the fire was Carrington’s reaction after the play. Rather than helping her opponent up or showing any sign of remorse, Carrington reportedly stared down the injured player, a gesture that many interpreted as a lack of class.
“Is it a prerequisite not to have any class in this league?” the commentator asked rhetorically. “What the hell is wrong with these players? This is crazy.”
Sportsmanship is a core value in professional athletics, and the WNBA is no exception. Yet, moments like these threaten to undermine the league’s reputation and alienate fans who want to see the game played with respect and integrity.
Where Is the Leadership?
The absence of a strong response from league leadership has only intensified the backlash. “Where is Kathy Engelbert?” the commentator demanded, referring to the WNBA commissioner. “Is there any leadership at all? Or are we just going to wait until someone loses an eye before we do something?”
The lack of accountability is a recurring theme. Fans and analysts alike are calling on the league to take a stand—not only for the sake of the players involved but for the integrity of the sport itself.
The Double Standard
Some have pointed out a double standard in the league’s approach to discipline. While players have been fined or suspended for verbal altercations or social media posts, physical incidents like Carrington’s seem to slip through the cracks.
“The WNBA pretends to be concerned about players,” one fan wrote. “But when it comes to actual violence on the court, they look the other way.”
This perceived inconsistency has led to accusations that the league cares more about its public image than the well-being of its athletes. “They have a zero-tolerance policy on mean words, but they let Carrington play with weapons on her hands,” the commentator said. “Is this a professional sport or not?”
The Players’ Perspective
Not all players share the outrage. Some have defended Carrington, arguing that her aggressive style is part of what makes her effective. “Basketball is a physical game,” one anonymous player said. “You have to be tough to compete at this level.”
Still, the majority opinion seems to be that there is a line between toughness and recklessness—and that Carrington has crossed it more than once. “There’s a difference between playing hard and playing dirty,” the commentator said. “And right now, the league isn’t doing enough to draw that line.”
What’s Next for the WNBA?
As the league moves forward, the spotlight will remain on Carrington and the WNBA’s response—or lack thereof. Will there be a suspension? A fine? Or will the incident be quietly swept under the rug, as so many before it have been?
For now, fans and analysts are left to wonder: Is this the kind of basketball the WNBA wants to promote? Is this the example they want to set for young fans and aspiring athletes?
Final Thoughts: A Crossroads for the League
“We’re not even a year removed from the last time we saw Carrington try to scoop an eyeball out of someone’s head,” the commentator concluded. “Three games into the season, and here we are again. Is this a professional league or not?”
The WNBA has a decision to make. Will it continue to turn a blind eye to dangerous play, or will it step up and protect its athletes? The answer will determine not only the outcome of this season but the future of the league itself.
