As the WNBA reaches its All-Star break, the league is facing increasing pressure to address one of the biggest issues that has emerged as a storyline in the first half of the season: officiating. Players and coaches say they aren't asking for perfection, but in interviews with ESPN, several voiced frustration and said they want greater consistency in how games are refereed and the level of physicality allowed.
From Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon to first-year Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, from young stars such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to veteran players such as Kelsey Plum and Natasha Cloud, the issue has flared several times on the court during games and has prompted questions and comments during postgame news conferences.