Tibbetts, furious: Controversial ejection in Mercury’s Finals WNBA defeat

Nate Tibbetts Ejected: Controversy in the WNBA Finals

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Aces, marking a historic moment in the league. Tibbetts’ ejection occurred with 2:41 left in the third quarter, after receiving two consecutive technical fouls for protesting an officiating decision. This made him the first coach in WNBA history to be ejected in a final.

For me, it’s embarrassing. I feel bad for having been ejected. I’ve been in this game a long time. I think it’s one of the weakest double technicals I’ve seen. I didn’t even know I’d been called for the second one, to be 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 call against player Monique Akoa Makani. According to Gulbeyan, Tibbetts repeated the phrase, resulting in the second technical foul and automatic ejection.

It was weak, weak, weak. We were playing for our lives in the playoffs. Most coaches, when they get ejected, do it on purpose. That was not my intention at all… I didn’t feel like I deserved it at all… It was bullshit.

Nate Tibbetts

In addition to Tibbetts, players Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner also received technicals in the fourth quarter. Gulbeyan indicated that Bonner’s was for a “reaction of the moment”, while Copper was sanctioned 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. A’ja Wilson, Finals MVP, scored 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 whole team. That’s hard to overcome… At the beginning of the playoffs, they let them play a little more. But tonight, that wasn’t the case.

Nate Tibbetts

Consistency in officiating was another point of criticism for Tibbetts, with Alyssa Thomas agreeing that it is the most important change the WNBA needs. Despite the issues, the Mercury stated that they do not attribute their loss to the referees. The main problem for Phoenix was allowing 26 points from 18 turnovers. The Mercury, known for overcoming deficits, couldn’t surpass the score this time. In Game 2 of the semi-finals against the Minnesota Lynx, the Mercury came back from a 20-point deficit to win. In Game 3 of that series, they won after trailing by 17. In Game 3 of the Finals, they were down by 17. In Friday’s game, the Mercury cut the 20-point deficit to six, immediately after Tibbetts was ejected. For Copper, this effort reflected the team’s season.

It’s another form of adversity in the year. Let’s just add more. Let’s play harder. That’s what it’s about. When you talk about Mercury basketball, when you talk about the Phoenix Mercury, we will never give up. We’re going to go for it. We can handle whatever they throw at us.

Kahleah Copper