The 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries have seen plenty of physical plays. However, one incident in Thursday’s Game 6 caught many social media users’ attention.
Early in the second half, Dream star Allisha Gray stole the ball from Tiffany Hayes and ran to the other end. She then passed to Rhyne Howard, who went up for the layup. However, Veronica Burton fouled Howard from behind, sending her crashing to the floor.
Howard remained down for several minutes as the training staff treated her. Replays showed that Burton made contact with Howard’s face. Following the officials’ review, Burton was assessed a flagrant 1 foul.
Social media users had mixed reactions to the play, with some arguing that a flagrant foul should not have been called on Burton.
“Ridiculous call. It’s a contact sport, and that was clearly not aimed at the face. Looked the same as any other defensive play,” one fan tweeted.
“Good foul, nothing free. Stop crying,” another fan posted.
“A hand to the face isn’t a hard foul. It’s a flagrant even tho it wasn’t malicious,” a fan commented.
Others said Burton deserved the call as she allegedly has been involved in physical plays in past games.
“(Should have) been a flagrant 2,” a fan wrote on Instagram.
“All series, this has been happening. Finally. This has to stop before she (hurts) someone,” another fan posted.
“They (were) getting away with it a game ago… Burton has done this 4 times, (and) this (is) the 1st time it was called,” one fan commented.
The officiating has been a subject of social media discussion throughout the 2026 season, but conversations have intensified in the WNBA Finals. Players and coaches from both sides have questioned calls and noted alleged missed calls.
Veronica Burton addresses Golden State’s slow start in Game 6
In her postgame media availability, Veronica Burton addressed the Golden State Valkyries’ slow start in Game 6. The Atlanta Dream led 32-15 after the opening quarter on Thursday.
“That’s unacceptable on our end,” Burton said. “So, just gotta play better defense. They were hitting good shots and getting good looks. … Can’t let that happen right out the gate. Need a sense of urgency. It’s the WNBA Finals.”
In the first 10 minutes, the Valkyries shot just 5-for-17 (29.4%), including 2-for-5 (40.0%) from the 3-point range. Meanwhile, the Dream went 11-for-15 (73.3%), including 6-for-8 (75%) on 3-pointers.
The do-or-die Game 7 between Atlanta and Golden State is scheduled for Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco.
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Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
