Fever fans react as Brittney Griner elbows Aliyah Boston in the neck: "Cathy Engelbert needs to do something or lose her job"

Modified Jun 12, 2025 07:59 GMT

The matchup between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream featured multiple physical exchanges between Aliyah Boston and Brittney Griner. Just two minutes in, the two bigs battled for position in the post, prompting officials to blow the whistle and assess a foul on Griner.

Later in the game, Griner was involved in a more questionable play, extending her left arm and catching Boston in the neck with her elbow. The referee quickly recognized the contact and called another foul on the Dream star.

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The sequence sparked a wave of reactions from WNBA and Fever fans, many of whom were surprised that Griner’s second foul wasn’t upgraded to a flagrant.

"I mean, the Atlanta Dream refs are shit. Griner hit Boston in the throat and they didn’t do anything. @CathyEngelbert needs to do something or lose her f***ing job. Indiana Fever deserve better," a fan said.

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Brittney Griner shoved Aliyah Boston last season

Whenever Brittney Griner and Aliyah Boston face off, tensions run high and physical play is almost guaranteed. Their matchups have developed a reputation for extra-curricular activity, fueled by their competitive fire and physical style.

One notable instance was during a game between the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury on June 30 last year, when both players battled fiercely for control in the post. At one point, Griner lost her composure and shoved Boston, resulting in a technical foul.

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Earlier this year, the two clashed during the 3x3 Unrivaled competition. Griner and Boston relentlessly battled for position, banging bodies in the post and refusing to back down, continuing their growing rivalry on the court.

About the author

Atishay Jain is a sports aficionado and an avid follower of the NBA and WNBA, with a deep admiration for LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Content Manager with Sportskeeda's basketball team.

Atishay's career spans both Indian and international sports coverage, with a keen interest in cricket, football, basketball, and tennis. His previous roles at News9Live and Sports Tak included live blogging, anchoring sports shows, and participating in debates.

A graduate in Journalism from the Center for Management Studies in Bengaluru, India, Atishay brings a wealth of experience and passion to his work in sports media.

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