WNBA abstains from handing down suspensions for Fever-Sun brawl; Mabrey's foul escalated to flagrant 2, as per sources.
The WNBA won't be doling out suspensions following the brawl that erupted in yesterday's matchup between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun, as confirmed by league sources.
The dustup took place with just over a minute left in the game, when Indiana's Sophie Cunningham received a flagrant 2 after attempting to thwart Connecticut's Jacy Sheldon on a layup. This rough play sent Sheldon crashing to the floor, and the ensuing chaos resulted in three players, including Cunningham, getting the boot. In addition to being hit with the standard fine for a flagrant 2, Cunningham will also face an extra penalty for her role in the post-foul brawl, according to the source.
The outburst wasn't the only flagrant foul incident of the night. It was determined that Sun guard Marina Mabrey's third-quarter technical foul should actually be reclassified as a flagrant 2 foul. As a result, Mabrey's wallet will take another hit, as well. No other players received additional punishment from the league.
Following the game, Indiana coach Stephanie White aired her grievances about the officiating, stating, "Everybody (in the league) is getting better, except the officials." Sun coach Rachid Meziane shared frustration about the sequence leading to multiple ejections, calling it a "stupid foul" given that Indiana held a comfortable 17-point lead at the time.
As of Wednesday afternoon, neither coach had been fined for their postgame comments. Historically, the WNBA avoids publicizing news about coach and player fines.
Tensions between the teams flared throughout the game, with Sheldon receiving a flagrant foul in the third quarter after allegedly poking Caitlin Clark in the eye. In response, Mabrey shoved Clark, earning a technical foul.
"When the officials don't get control of the ballgame, when they allow that stuff to happen, and it's been happening all season long... this is what happens," White commented.
Although Mabrey's technical foul was upgraded on Wednesday, crew chief Ashley Gloss said on Tuesday that Mabrey's contact didn't reach the level necessitating an ejection or meet the criteria for a flagrant foul penalty two.
Mabrey was met with boos from the Fever crowd for the remainder of the game, which the home team won 88-71. The victory, combined with a loss by the Atlanta Dream, secured the Fever a spot in the July 1 Commissioner's Cup championship, where they'll face the Minnesota Lynx.
The Sun have a quick turnaround, as they'll take on the Phoenix Mercury tonight, while the Fever will square off against the Golden State Valkyries tomorrow.
The WNBA has specific rules regarding flagrant fouls and player fines, which were central in the Fever-Sun skirmish. A flagrant foul 2 represents an excessive and unnecessary contact resulting in an automatic ejection, and carries financial penalties for the offending players. Technical fouls, while less severe, are issued for unsportsmanlike conduct. Multiple flagrant fouls and technicals led to ejections and financial penalties following the incident.
The confrontation emphasizes the league's ongoing challenges in managing physical play and maintaining proper officiating control to prevent such incidents from escalating. Officiating standards and physicality have been subjects of debate among observers and coaches, who have called for stricter enforcement to control aggressive play and prevent injuries. The delayed response to the initial flagrant foul allowed tensions to escalate, contributing to the ugly altercation.
The WNBA's ongoing challenges in managing physical play, particularly during Tuesday's game between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun, were highlighted by the brawl that occurred. Despite the incident, no further suspensions will be issued, but financial penalties are expected for those involved, such as Sophie Cunningham and Marina Mabrey, whose flagrant fouls and technicals led to ejections and fines.
