Nate Tibbetts Ejected: A Historic Moment in the WNBA Finals
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts starred in an unusual moment in WNBA history during the fourth game of the Finals. He was ejected after receiving two technical fouls in a short time, marking a milestone by becoming the first coach to be ejected in a game of this instance. The situation occurred with 2:41 minutes left in the third quarter, in a game that ultimately ended in a 97-86 defeat for Phoenix against their rival. The first technical foul originated after a referee call that Tibbetts considered unfavorable. The coach, visibly upset, expressed his discontent, which earned him the second technical and subsequent ejection.According to the head referee, Roy Gulbeyan, the first technical foul was awarded after Tibbetts said “That’s terrible” following a foul called against player Monique Akoa Makani. Subsequently, the coach approached the official and repeated the same phrase, resulting in the second technical foul and his ejection. In addition to Tibbetts, Mercury players Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner also received technical fouls during the final quarter. Bonner’s was for an impulsive reaction, while Copper was penalized for using inappropriate language and approaching the referee aggressively. Tibbetts highlighted the disparity in free throws between the Mercury and the Aces in the game. Phoenix attempted 19 free throws, while Las Vegas had 35, including 19 from the Finals MVP, A’ja Wilson.For me, it’s simply embarrassing. I’m very sorry to have been ejected. I’ve been in this game a long time. I think it’s one of the weakest double technicals I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even know I’d been given the second one, to be completely honest. I just don’t understand it.
Nate Tibbetts
The inconsistency in the refereeing was another of Tibbetts’ points of criticism, a topic that was also commented on by Alyssa Thomas, who emphasized the need for greater consistency in WNBA refereeing. Despite the problems, the Mercury did not attribute their defeat exclusively to the refereeing. The team acknowledged that their biggest problem was the 18 turnovers that allowed the opponent 26 points. Despite having overcome significant deficits in other games of the season, on this occasion they failed to complete the comeback against the Aces. In the fourth game, the Mercury reduced a 20-point deficit to six, an effort that, according to Copper, reflects the team’s fighting spirit.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. 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.
Nate Tibbetts
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 period, we will never give up. We’re going to chase it. We can handle whatever they throw at us.
Kahleah Copper
