Head coach escorted from court by police and faces WNBA suspension after losing cool in 32-point demoltion

Jun 7, 2026 - 13:00

Events quickly unraveled in the third quarter for the Washington Mystics.

The Mystics lost to the Atlanta Dream, 109-77 on Saturday night at the Gateway Center in College Park Georgia.

Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Mystics on June 6, 2026 at Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia. — Mystics lost to the Atlanta Dream, 109-77 on Saturday night

The loss dropped the Mystics to 4-5 in the young WNBA season, while the Dream keep on surging, improving to 7-3.

With 3:52 left on the clock in the third quarter, Washington’s Alicia Florez was called for a foul while defending Atlanta’s Angel Reese.

Clearly incensed by the call, Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson got into a heated argument with officials.

His assistants, and even some of his players tried to get him to return to the bench, but Johnson continued in his complaints.

Johnson would eventually receive two technical fouls and then was ejected, and as he made his way off the court, he continued to jibe at officials.

At this point, three police officers entered the court, and escorted Johnson away from the floor.

The Mystics trailed 64-43 at the time of the ejection, and the 32-point loss marked their worst of the season.

“I lost my cool,” Johnson told reporters after the game, via ESPN.

“There’s nothing more than that. That’s it. Officals did what was appropriate, and that’s all I can say.”

Johnson was then asked what upset him about the play, a question that was quickly deflected.

View Tweet: https://t.co/rssNiDowBF

Head coach Sydney Johnson of the Washington Mystics looks on during the first half of the game against the Chicago Sky at CareFirst Arena on June 2, 2026 in Washington, DC. — Johnson didn’t agree with the officials foul call on Alicia Florez in the third quarter

Head coach Sydney Johnson of the Washington Mystics looks on against the Chicago Sky during the second half of the game at CareFirst Arena on June 2, 2026 in Washington, DC. — Johnson said he ‘lost my cool’ as he had to be escorted off the court by three police officers

“I’d rather not get into that,” he continued.

“I don’t want to take away from Atlanta playing really hard and from us having a learning moment for our team.

“Not a great moment for our team or me … but that certainly doesn’t define the togetherness, the toughness, the joy we have.

“My ejection is not a great thing. That’s certainly not going to be a consistent thing.”

Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen, who led the team with 24 points, was amongst those who tried to calm their head coach.

“Coach always has our back. He’s going to do whatever to protect us. I was just trying my best to kind of diffuse it.” Iriafen said.

Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrates during the game against the Washington Mystics on June 6, 2026 at Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia. — Reese starred again for the Dream

The 109 points the Mystics allowed the Dream to score were the third most in franchise history.

Every Dream player who touched the court generated points. Five players finished their night in double figures, including Reese, who had 18 points, 17 rebounds and four steals.

Washington will now turn its attention to a home game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Monday.

The biggest question now is whether Johnson will coach that matchup or if the WNBA will impose a suspension for his actions.

Stay up to date with the WNBA across all our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET