Sheryl Swoopes Demands Referee From Angel Reese Game Never Officiates Again

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated May 31, 2025 1:22 PM ET

Thursday night’s WNBA matchup between the Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky was a hard-fought, competitive contest, one of just two games on the schedule.

While rookie Paige Bueckers scored 15 points and Arike Ogunbowale dropped 37 for the Wings, and the Sky's Angel Reese continued to struggle with her shooting, the most talked-about moment didn’t come until after the final buzzer.

Following the Sky’s 97-92 win, Dallas guard DiJonai Carrington appeared to be speaking with a referee. The interaction became tense enough that the official seemed to motion for security to intervene.

That sparked a strong response from WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, who took to social media to voice her frustration.

"If this man was scared (of what, I don't know) and needed security, he should NEVER be able to ref again!!! This can't be real!!!TF"

If this man was scared(of what, I don't know) and needed security, he should NEVER be able to ref again!!! This can't be real!!!TF https://t.co/w9gsHr25K3
— Sheryl Swoopes (@airswoopes22) May 31, 2025

Carrington logged heavy minutes in the loss, playing 37 and scoring 15 points. She was one of four Wings players to finish in double figures. On the other side, second-year forward Kamilla Cardoso led all Chicago scorers with 23 points.

The win marked the Sky’s first victory of the season after starting 0-4. Dallas fell to 1-5 with the loss.

Swoopes, one of the most decorated players in WNBA history, played from 1997-2011. She began her career with the Houston Comets, then moved on to the Seattle Storm before finishing with the Tulsa Shock.

She is a four-time WNBA champion and three-time league MVP. Swoopes made six All-Star appearances and won All-Star game MVP in 2005.

A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, she wrapped up her WNBA career with 4,875 points and 1,596 rebounds.

The Wings and Sky will face off again Saturday night, this time in Dallas. Bueckers is expected to miss at least two games while in concussion protocol.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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