The Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun arrived at the opening round of last season’s WNBA postseason full of drive and optimism, hoping to begin a deep run toward the championship. What was expected to be a tightly contested series ended with a swift sweep, as the Sun eliminated the Fever 2-0.
While the loss itself was painful for Indiana, what truly drew attention wasn’t the result on the court, but rather a behind-the-scenes altercation that quickly stole the spotlight.
The altercation that escalated during the postseason series
The incident involved guard DiJonai Carrington, who now plays for the Dallas Wings but at the time was with the Connecticut Sun, and Christine Brennan, author of On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports.
Just hours before the game began, Carrington reportedly approached an area where Brennan, Indiana Star Fever reporter Chloe Peterson, and Fieldhouse Files journalist Scott Agness were standing, and abruptly shouted, “Why are you talking [expletive] about NaLyssa [Smith]?”
It’s worth noting that Carrington and Smith weren’t teammates at the time, Smith was playing for the Fever, but they are romantically involved off the court.
The question surprised the three of us because no one was saying anything personal or derogatory about Smith,”… “Agness and Peterson had been discussing a bit of Fever strategy they had just noticed on the court but had been asked not to divulge publicly – that Smith was going to be replaced in the starting lineup for Game Two by veteran Temi Fagbenle.
Brennan later wrote.
Carrington didn’t let it go and pressed further: “You’re saying she’s a bad teammate!”
The exchange escalated when she added, “I walked past and I heard you talking [expletive] about NaLyssa! It was you, out of your mouth!”
Carrington apparently relayed the incident to Smith, who later approached the journalists while they were waiting to conduct postgame interviews with players.
“Do you have something to say to me?” Smith asked Brennan.
“I’m always happy to talk to you,” Brennan responded.
A few minutes later, as they returned to the tunnel, Smith questioned Brennan again, saying, “What did you say?”
Brennan stood her ground once more, reiterating that neither she, Agness, nor Peterson had said anything “negative” about her.
“You are lying,” Smith replied as she walked away.
The situation intensified to the point that several officials had to intervene, including a WNBA board member, the league’s communications director, Sun president Jen Rizzotti, and Fever PR director Ryan Stevens.
Subsequently, the WNBA Players Association reportedly considered banning Brennan from further coverage, based on the accusations. The incident quickly went viral, and Brennan-who had previously maintained good relationships with many players-faced backlash across social media.
Shortly after, Carrington publicly tagged Brennan in a social media post, calling her “Goofy.”
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