Tibbetts Ejected in WNBA Finals: Controversy and Mercury’s Defeat

Nate Tibbetts Ejected: A Historic Moment in the WNBA Finals

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected in the third quarter of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Aces, marking a milestone in league history. Tibbetts, visibly bewildered, received two consecutive technical fouls for protesting a referee’s decision, which resulted in his ejection. This makes him the first coach to be ejected in a Finals game.

“For me, it’s just embarrassing,” Tibbetts stated. “I’m really sorry to have been ejected. I’ve been in this game a long time. I think those are the weakest double technicals I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even know I’d been called for the second one, to be completely honest. I just don’t understand it.”

Nate Tibbetts

The head referee, Roy Gulbeyan, explained that the first technical foul was for saying “That’s terrible” after a foul. The second technical foul and ejection occurred when Tibbetts approached the referee and repeated the phrase. Mercury players Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner also received technicals in the final quarter. Bonner was sanctioned for a “spur-of-the-moment” reaction, while Copper was penalized for using inappropriate language and aggressively approaching the referee. Tibbetts highlighted the disparity in free throws between the Mercury and the Aces, with 19 and 35 respectively. Aces star A’ja Wilson benefited the most with 19 free throws.

“A’ja is a great player. But when someone shoots so many free throws, it’s difficult. Obviously, we were frustrated. She shot as many free throws as our entire team. It’s hard to overcome. At the beginning of the playoffs, they let teams play a little more. But tonight, that wasn’t the case,” added Tibbetts.

Nate Tibbetts

Tibbetts pointed to the inconsistency in the refereeing as his main concern. Alyssa Thomas agreed, emphasizing the need for consistent refereeing in the WNBA.

Despite these issues, the Mercury did not attribute their defeat to the refereeing.

The team identified the 18 turnovers and the 26 points conceded as the key factors in their defeat. Despite coming back from a 20-point deficit in the past, they were unable to repeat the feat against the Aces. Copper highlighted the team’s ability to overcome adversity.