Jason Whitlock Slams DiJonai Carrington for “Over-the-Top” Physicality in Heated WNBA Clash

Veteran sports analyst Jason Whitlock has never been one to mince words, and on Friday night, he lit into Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington after yet another incident that left fans and commentators buzzing.

Carrington, known for her aggressive, high-intensity defense, found herself at the center of controversy once again during Friday’s WNBA matchup — this time drawing the ire of Whitlock, who took to his podcast and social media to call out what he described as “reckless and unnecessary” physical play.

“There’s playing hard, and then there’s playing dirty,” Whitlock said in a fiery monologue. “DiJonai Carrington keeps crossing that line, and no one seems willing to say it out loud. Well, I will.”

The criticism came after a particularly chippy sequence in the third quarter of the Sun’s game, where Carrington appeared to make excessive contact while defending a fast break. No flagrant foul was called, but replays of the moment quickly went viral, with fans debating whether Carrington’s style of play is becoming a liability — or an asset.

Whitlock was firmly in the former camp.

“This isn’t football. You can’t treat every possession like it’s a linebacker drill,” he said. “She’s tough, she’s athletic — no one’s denying that. But this kind of behavior isn’t sustainable. It’s going to get someone hurt, or it’s going to cost her team big in a playoff moment.”

Carrington, who has become a breakout star this season for her two-way energy and fiery on-court presence, has built a reputation as one of the league’s toughest defenders. Her tenacity has been praised by coaches and fans alike — but it has also earned her a growing list of critics.

This isn’t the first time Carrington has been called out for overly physical play. Earlier in the season, she clashed with multiple players during heated exchanges, drawing technicals and stern warnings from referees. Yet her team has stood by her, arguing that her intensity is exactly what they need.

“DiJonai is a competitor. She plays with passion and heart,” said Sun head coach Stephanie White in a recent post-game presser. “She’s not out there trying to hurt anyone. She’s trying to win. Period.”

But Whitlock wasn’t buying it.

“Passion is great — until it turns into recklessness,” he said. “If this were the NBA and a player kept toeing the line like this, we’d be having a very different conversation. But because it’s the WNBA, people want to avoid controversy.”

He added: “Let’s not infantilize these women. If Carrington wants to play like a villain, fine. But let’s call it what it is.”

Reaction to Whitlock’s comments has been swift and polarizing. Some fans applauded his honesty, saying Carrington’s behavior needed to be addressed, while others accused Whitlock of unfairly singling her out — or worse, applying a double standard to women’s sports.

Carrington herself appeared to respond indirectly via X (formerly Twitter), posting a cryptic message that read, “Y’all mad I hustle too hard? Stay mad. I’m not changing.”

The post racked up thousands of likes and retweets, with supporters praising her for not backing down amid the criticism.

“I love how DiJonai plays. She brings energy, passion, and defense — something the league needs more of,” one user wrote. “Let her cook.”

Still, the spotlight remains on her — and with her rising profile, that scrutiny is unlikely to fade.

Whether Carrington’s intensity continues to fuel the Sun’s winning ways or ends up costing them remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: she’s not going to change her game for anyone — least of all Jason Whitlock.