Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington was happy to be a part of a historical WNBA night but was disappointed in the lack of promotion by the WNBA .
The Sun defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 69-61 during the WNBA 's first game at TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics. The game set a franchise record for its largest crowd in history, with over 19,125 fans in attendance for the matchup.
Carrington was clutch for the Sun, scoring a pull-up jumper to give her team a 55-52 lead with five minutes remaining on the clock. She scored on two more possessions down the stretch, including a jumper to extend their lead to 62-59, forcing the Sparks to take a full timeout.
Carrington finished the game with a game-high 19 points and four rebounds. Two Suns teammates, Brionna Jones and Tyasha Harris, joined Carrington in scoring double figures, adding 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Carrington fielded questions from the media after the matchup, where she partially used the platform to express disappointment in the WNBA's game coverage. The matchup was not nationally televised but was live streamed on X, adding to the frustration.
"I feel like Connecticut as a franchise is historically disrespected. I think there could’ve been a lot more publicity or promo from the top," said Carrington as Alyssa Thomas nodded in agreement.
"Connecticut announced that we were having this game almost a year ago, so there was ample time to do what needed to be done. But it didn’t matter anyway, because they [fans] showed up and it was sold out. The game should’ve been on a national television broadcast," she continued. "You shouldn’t have to pay for any type of subscription to see a game that’s this historic, in my opinion.”
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The WNBA has several broadcast deals with different TV partners, including ESPN, CBD, ION, NBA TV, and streaming options on Prime Video and Paramount Plus. Fans have been critical of the dispersion of the televised games, with the Indiana Fever having 36 of their 40 games being on national broadcasts due to the star power of Caitlin Clark .
Even the league's back-to-back champions in the Las Vegas Aces featured one TV game shorter nationally than the Fever. Carrington and Clark have had several noteworthy exchanges on the court, which have bled over onto social media, mostly through Carrington's criticism of the rookie.
Carrington's defensive plays against Clark have been celebrated by WNBA fans yet scrutinized by inconsistent viewers who considered the tough defense overly aggressive. Carrington and Clark's on-court battles led to a mix of online cultural and league growth discussions, including advocating for better promotion across the entire league, not just showcasing Clark's impact.
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