What was supposed to be a routine post-game moment quickly turned into something far more charged for Dallas Wings guard Dijonai Carrington.
After her team’s loss to the Chicago Sky on Thursday night, Carrington found herself at the center of a viral moment — and possibly a deeper conversation about race and perception in the WNBA.
An On-Court Conversation Escalates
As the final buzzer sounded, Carrington was seen engaging in a conversation with referee Roy Gulbeyan.
But things took an unexpected turn when Gulbeyan appeared to call over a security guard to stand between them.
The moment was captured on video and rapidly made the rounds on social media, sparking criticism and debate.
Carrington later took to social media herself, clearly frustrated.
“Security… when I’m literally having a civil conversation is insane,” she posted, calling it a clear sign of “#Microaggression.”
She also pointed out the exaggerated way the word “security” was spelled — a jab at what she saw as an over-the-top response.
What Exactly Is a Microaggression?
Carrington didn’t go into detail, but her post used a term that’s increasingly part of discussions about bias in sports and beyond.
According to the American Psychological Association, microaggressions are subtle slights — whether verbal, behavioral, or environmental — that send derogatory messages toward people from marginalized communities.
Merriam-Webster also describes them as expressions of prejudice, often unconscious, aimed at people of color, women, or other minority groups.
A Pattern of Tension Around Carrington
This isn’t the first time Carrington has been caught in the middle of controversy.
Last season, she was involved in a physical clash with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark that left Clark with a black eye.
That incident led to some sharp media questions, including whether Carrington had laughed about the hit afterward — which she denied.
The WNBA Players Association jumped in quickly, calling the line of questioning “a blatant attempt to bait a professional athlete” and said it played into “racist, homophobic and misogynistic vitriol” online.
The WNBA’s Larger Race Conversation
Carrington’s post comes not long after the WNBA dealt with another racism-related investigation.
Following the season opener between the Sky and the Fever, which saw Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese face off, some fans allegedly directed racist abuse at Reese.
The league investigated the claims, conducting interviews and reviewing footage.
However, they ultimately said they couldn’t confirm any racist fan behavior took place.
What’s Next for Carrington and the League?
Neither Carrington nor the WNBA has provided additional comment yet, but the moment has clearly struck a chord.
At its heart, this incident highlights growing concerns about how players — particularly Black women — are treated, perceived, and policed, even during calm conversations.
Whether or not the league or referee responds publicly, the message from Carrington and her supporters is loud and clear: there’s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to bias in sports.