Atlanta Dream’s Jordin Canada Criticizes Officiating in Loss to Washington Mystics

The Atlanta Dream faced an unexpected 81-76 defeat against the Washington Mystics on Thursday night. Jordin Canada, a player for the Dream, criticized the officiating in the game.

I’m going to get fined, but I don’t care. Tonight, the officiating was awful. I don’t know how many times Angel [Reese] has to get beat up in the paint for her to get a foul called. I thought all 3 refs were terrible, Canada stated in her postgame comments.

In the game, Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 24 points. Canada added 10 points and seven assists, while Reese contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds. Both Canada and Reese had five personal fouls by the end of the game.

Referees penalized the Mystics with 23 fouls and the Dream with 22. Meanwhile, the Dream attempted 18 free throws compared to the Mystics’ 19. On paper, this might seem balanced, but Canada believes many calls against Reese are overlooked.

Canada emphasized this point postgame, saying, Every time [Angel] was getting a fastbreak layup, she was getting hacked. In the paint, she was getting hacked, no foul calls.

According to Canada, Anytime we tried to play physical, it was always a foul call. So I think the officiating has to be better, she expressed after the game.

Her comments arise amid growing criticism of WNBA referees. This includes earlier remarks from Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko, who insists Reese lacks proper respect from officials.

Statmuse data shows the Dream ranks 10th in personal fouls in the WNBA this season, with 385 fouls after 20 games. In contrast, the Connecticut Sun leads with 465, followed by the Portland Fire at 463, and Indiana Fever at 460.

The issue of officiating also gained attention following an incident with Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. A league review found Thomas committed a Flagrant Foul 2, leading to a one-game suspension for an uncalled foul on Clark.