The ball was tossed up in the air, officially signalling the start of the 2025 WNBA season. Though it’s a pre-season game, the excitement and fan involvement are real – the season is moving from the training camps to the hardwood match-ups. And the first one itself was a big coup – Las Vegas Aces vs Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers vs A’ja Wilson, and the rookie received a ‘special’ welcome from the league.

The Notre Dame Arena was full and ready to embrace their newest rookie star of the WNBA. Paige had a decent first game in the league with 10 points off seven shots in 23 minutes of gameplay. Fans looking for a quick impact from Paige got to see her first basket midway through the first quarter. About 3 minutes in, Bueckers came off a screen set by teammate NaLyssa Smith. Having a lane open to drive, Paige eased her way to the rim, netting her first bucket in the league – a left-handed layup high off the glass. Many would expect this to set social media abuzz, but it was not the most discussed topic for Paige’s debut.

The UConn star got the reality of the WNBA, not in a good way. The rookie was called for a defensive foul while trying to block a shot midway into the second quarter. As Aces’ star, Jewell Loyd, tried to score from the left, Paige, close enough, was able to block her shot. But the whistles blew, the on-court officials called it a foul, and keen-eyed fans weren’t letting it just pass.

Many fans raised concerns over the poor call and slammed it for ‘favouritism’. Paige Bueckers also couldn’t believe the foul call as she clearly deflected the ball once it left Loyd’s hands. First excited over the block, she ran to the other end, laughing off the call. Even though the score was not close enough, a referee’s decision turned off the energy and momentum of the game. Fans know it and want the league to hear about it, too.

The Officiating has been under constant scrutiny in the league– the 2024 Finals was one glimpse of it. Now, new season, new players, yet the cause of concern remains the same for fans.

Fans are not letting ‘officials decide’ the games.

Some Paige ‘Buckets’ and defensive stops were flashes of what fans can expect from the reigning national champion. But sadly, what remained as one of the most discussed topics was the foul called on her. Fans already not happy with some official calls last season made their voice heard.

“Paige’s block wasn’t no fun foul! That was all ball!” one wrote on ‘X’ that while Jewell Loyd lost her balance and was already drifting away from the basket, Paige’s block elevating over the opponent, couldn’t possibly touch the shooter. But the call still went through and some were reminded of the 2024 controversy.

“Don’t start with the refs choosing who wins the game again this year! Call the games fair! It’s bad enough y’all gave the championship to NY last season,” one of them added. The foul called on Lynx center Alanna Smith with 5.2 seconds left, helped the Liberty tie the score and send the game to overtime. Head coach Cheryl Lynx wasn’t having it. “This s— was stolen from us,” she had said, requesting for a fourth party to be involved for fairness. Looks like fans would vouch for that now.

“The refs so whistle happy for the aces rn. That shouldn’t have been a foul on Paige Bueckers!” a user claimed. “These refs already too whistle happy in this preseason game.” another added. Going by the numbers, a total of 38 fouls were called for the evening, and the Aces had just as in their favor as the Wings. They attempted 20 from the free throw line while Bueckers & Co., got to do it twice more. The fouls, too stood at 18-20, with two techs called on Aces.

But there were a few disagreeable calls, or those missed. A few times, the No.1 draftee took it upon herself to confront the officials, but the Aces did prove to be a strong force, finishing 95-81. But every decision, made or missed, counts.

“Oh thats how WNBA refs are coming into the season……yeah its gonna be a looooonnnggg season,” one expressed.

The season is yet to start, and the concerns are already flowing in. Regardless, overwhelmed by today’s reception by the fans in the WNBA, Bueckers will make her regular-season debut on May 16 against the Minnesota Lynx. The tip-off for that one is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.