May 6, 2025 — The WNBA found itself at the center of a growing social media firestorm after sports commentator Kara Larson publicly urged the league to adopt Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology following a controversial incident during a recent matchup.

The spark came during a heated game between Dawn Staley’s team and the Blue Devils, where a player from Staley’s squad allegedly struck a Blue Devil player in the head. The moment, missed by referees during live play, drew sharp reactions online — but it was Larson’s post that amplified the call for action.

“To uphold the integrity of the game, we must confront unsportsmanlike behavior,” Larson wrote in a tweet that has since gone viral. “Implementing VAR could help ensure incidents like these are addressed properly.”

Kara Lawson - Head Coach - Staff Directory - Duke University

Fans and analysts quickly chimed in, with some echoing Larson’s concerns and others defending the current officiating structure. While the WNBA has yet to issue an official response, Larson’s comments have reignited ongoing debates around fairness, accountability, and the use of technology in women’s sports.

As the league continues to grow in popularity and visibility, pressure is mounting for reforms that match the standards of other major professional leagues. Whether this latest controversy leads to change remains to be seen.

Celtics assistant Kara Lawson reportedly close to becoming Duke women’s basketball coach

Kara Lawson. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
Celtics assistant coach Kara Larson could become the next coach of the Duke women’s basketball team, as soon as Friday, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.

Lawson, who played for Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt at Tennessee, also played for Sacramento, Connecticut, and Washington during her 13-year WNBA career that ended in 2015. She was a member of the gold medal-winning US Olympic team at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

When she was hired in June of 2019, she became the first woman ever to coach for the Celtics. Before joining the Celtics last summer, she worked as a basketball analyst at ESPN, as well as on Washington Wizards broadcasts. She also helped coach USA Basketball’s three-on-three teams over the past two years.