Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon received a fine from the WNBA, adding her name to the growing list of coaches punished for openly criticizing officiating this season and during the playoffs. The league notified her before the matchup against the Indiana Fever that she must pay a $1,000 fine for her actions.
A chain reaction among WNBA coaches
According to Athlonsports, Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White was also fined $1,000 after publicly supporting Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. The WNBA suspended Reeve for one game due to her “conduct and comments” during Game 3, where her team lost to the Phoenix Mercury.
Becky Hammon received a technical foul
She was furious at the refs for not letting the Aces shoot the free-throw before the Fever challenged the call#WNBA pic.twitter.com/Uxd7fwWB28— WNBA Universe (@wnbauniverse) September 12, 2024
Reeve reacted angrily to the officiating, which led to her suspension. In the postgame press conference, she demanded “a change in leadership” in the league and described the referees’ work as “malpractice.” White backed Reeve by saying she “made a lot of valid points,” a statement that cost her the fine.
Hammon faced the same fate. The WNBA fined her $1,000 after she agreed with Reeve’s comments, saying: “From what I heard, she didn’t tell a lie. She told the truth. I think something needs to change.”
After the Aces lost to the Fever in Game 4, Hammon openly criticized WNBA referees again, pointing out a free-throw discrepancy: Las Vegas shot 11, while Indiana took 34.
So far, Hammon has not commented on the fine. She may be focusing on preparing her team for Game 5 of the playoffs on Tuesday between the Aces and Fever.
