WNBA star Brittney Griner has spoken out about the ongoing rumors that she used a racial slur against Caitlin Clark during a game last month, clearly stating that she did not say the words people have accused her of saying. The controversy started after a May 22 incident was captured on video and went viral, leading to widespread debate and different interpretations among fans.
The incident happened during a game where Griner’s Atlanta Dream played against Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever. After a questionable foul call, Griner appeared upset on the bench. Soon after, people tried to read her lips began sharing their guesses about what she said. Some viewers claimed Griner directed a racial slur at Caitlin Clark, while others thought she was just angry at the referee over the bad call.
The moment remained unclear because there was no clear audio, sparking intense online arguments and many theories about what Griner said and who she was talking to. On Sunday, before and after her Atlanta Dream team played against the Washington Mystics in Washington, D.C., Griner faced multiple questions about the May 22 incident. The WNBA star admitted to Outkick that she was upset about the referee’s foul call but firmly denied using any racial slurs.
Britney Griner denies using racial slurs after call
She stressed that she would never say such words and that there is no room for that kind of language in the league. While she couldn’t remember her exact words in the heat of the moment, Griner was absolutely certain she did not use the slur in question, repeating that she does not speak that way. She insisted her frustration was entirely about the referee’s decision.
Getting Griner to publicly address the incident took a long time, happening months after fleeing a hotel. For more than three weeks after the clip went viral, it was difficult for reporters to get a direct statement from her. Reports suggested that limited media access made it hard to ask her about the situation.
Brittney Griner’s courtside outburst goes viral after a match comment at Caitlin Clark — some hear a slur, others say it’s just a bad call. Clark stays silent as debate explodes. pic.twitter.com/tNcXa1ynFz
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) May 26, 2025
This delay allowed the public discussion to continue without her input, and many different interpretations of the May 22 incident spread unchecked. Even though it took time for her to speak out, Griner’s denial on Sunday was strong and clear.
Griner said, “I would never say that. There’s no place for that in our league, and [I] wouldn’t say that. I was mad about a call.” when asked again if she knew she didn’t say that, Griner responded, “I know it wasn’t that because I wouldn’t use that type of language.”
After the Dream’s 89-56 win over the Mystics, Griner again firmly denied using any offensive language. She repeated that she would never say such a thing and that it has no place in the league, standing by her claim that she was only angry about the referee’s call.
