In a chaotic WNBA matchup, Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner found herself at the center of an on-court altercation that led to her ejection, but the drama didn’t stop there. Griner, who was involved in a heated exchange with Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson, took things off the court and onto social media by clapping back at trolls on Instagram – all while the game was still in progress.

The incident began when Griner and Jackson tangled during a free throw, resulting in Griner delivering an elbow to Jackson’s face after an arm grab. Things escalated quickly as the two players exchanged pushes, leading to Griner’s ejection. Amid the chaos, Mercury veteran Diana Taurasi was kept off the floor, likely to avoid any repercussions in what might be her last home game.

What makes this situation even more entertaining is that instead of quietly retreating to the locker room, Griner jumped onto Instagram to reply to trolls criticizing her mid-game. While many fans might find this behavior unusual, it added a layer of amusement to an already wild situation. Her responses ranged from casual comebacks to more direct clapbacks at anonymous commenters, proving that Griner wasn’t about to let the negative attention slide.

Despite criticism from some fans and analysts who argue that engaging with trolls only fuels the fire, Griner’s quick clapbacks were met with laughter from others, who saw the situation as a reflection of sports as entertainment. “It’s just hilarious,” one fan noted, highlighting how Griner’s antics brought humor to a tense moment.

This is not the first time Griner or the Phoenix Mercury have found themselves in heated situations this season. The Mercury’s entire starting lineup ranks among the top in technical fouls, with Griner, Taurasi, and Sophie Cunningham all frequent offenders. In fact, the Mercury lead the league in technical fouls, with Griner racking up five herself this season.

While some see Griner’s Instagram escapade as unprofessional, many argue that sports, at its core, is about entertainment – and this incident certainly delivered on that front. For fans, this latest drama only adds to the wild narrative of this WNBA season, where off-court moments are as headline-worthy as the action on the floor.